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Vol. XVII No. 53 (Issue 831)

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December 31, 2015

Marking 1st Year As Lt. Governor

Rare Fog On The River In December

STATE SEN. Larry Farnese presents Lt. Gov. Mike Stack framed copy of front page of last year’s Philadelphia Public Record, which commemorated his inauguration as Lieutenant Governor with special edition.

Transgender Inmates In Pennsyvania Prisons Now Can Dress Up Their Way! Page 2 www.Phillyrecord.com

Special Elections For Two Legislative Seats Set For March 15th. Remember “The Ides”!

DENSE fog shrouded Packer Avenue Marine Terminal on Christmas Day. Fog crept in “on little cat feet” after cool night and warm day, typical for an April day.

Just as quietly, it crept away. Huge cranes took on giraffe-like look when seen through fog from Gloucester City, N.J. Park. Photo by Joe Stivala

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Transgender Inmates Enjoy Special Privilege There are roughly 51,000 inmates in the Pennsylvania State Prison System, of which 48,000-plus are male, and almost 3,000 female according to a 2012 census.

Every effort in the history of the penal system has been to keep the sexes apart for obvious reasons. Where both sexes worked in adjoining facilities, statistics reveal an increase in pregnancies would occur.

In Pennsylvania, one longstanding rule of code issued by the Dept. of Corrections was DOC-ADM 801 (DOC Administrative Directive). This code made it a misconduct or Infraction to wear a mask or disguise, with a 90-day punishment in a Restricted Housing Unit commonly known as the “hole” or “in the buckets”.

So some male prisoners were surprised as well as shocked when, beginning this past October, their commissary sheets now made lipstick, makeup, and other “gender-appropriate” items available for purchase.

That is because as of Oct. 8, 2015, DOC began offering “select female items” in the

Commissary in all male prisons. The select items are women’s undergarments and beauty aids such as eyeshadow, lipstick and mascara.

For years, the Philadelphia Public Record has sent free weekly copies to Philadelphians imprisoned in state or federal prisons when receiving requests for subscriptions. This list has grown to over several hundred, changing when new inmates request copies or tell us they are being released.

This generates a lot of inmate mail, as prisoners make us aware of prison policy changes or report their complaints.

In response to our asking why these purchases are now permitted, DOC Secretary John Wetzel noted, through his press secretary Susan McNaughton, “As of 9/24/2015, 147 DOC inmates identify as transgender. Throughout the assessment process thus far, there have been 132 individuals who identify as trans female and 15 identify as trans males.

“In June 2015, the DOC issued a revised Prison Rape Elimination Act policy that al-

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City Opens Data On Property Taxes The City of Philadelphia released data about property-tax balances through its open data portal. The data includes all current balances and credits dating back to 1972 and is updated weekly.

“Transparency through Open Data releases is helping Philadelphia become one of the most ethically-run, accessible cities in America,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “This release joins a growing list of more than 230 open data sets that help inform citizens and strengthen trust in government.”

The dataset contains records for more than 96,000 properties with balances owed and about 40,000 properties with credits/overpayments. In addition to being available for

download, the data is accompanied by a visualization tool enabling users to easily browse, sort, and drill down into the data within their web browser.

“Expanding access to property tax balance information allows users to understand the scale and detail of delinquency,” said Revenue Commissioner and Chief Collections Officer Clarena I. W. Tolson. “More than $100 million in delinquent Real Estate Tax was collected last year to support Philadelphia schools and services; the tool will give users a new way to understand what remains outstanding.”

The data and the accompanying visualization can be accessed at the website www.opendataphilly.org.

lows for transgender inmates to make gender-appropriate commissary purchases. DC ADM 008, Section 9. Both policies are available on the Policies tab of the DOC’s public website at: http://www.cor.pa.gov on its policy page: http://www.cor.pa.gov/Administration/Pages/DOC-Policies.aspx#.VnluQ8vbJ9A “Examining how we can better treat and respect transgender inmates in our system is a priority of the administration and our department. Since Gov Wolf took office, significant changes have been made to keep up with best practices and to better ensure these inmates are treated with respect and dignity.

“Decisions for transgender inmates are inherently difficult in a system that is structurally divided by gender. However, we recognize a need to treat these inmates with the same dignity that we seek to provide

Taylor Seeks Out-Of-State Liquor Buys Legislation sponsored by State Rep. John Taylor (RNortheast) to decriminalize the purchase of out-of-state wine and liquor has passed the House.

“For decades people have driven into New Jersey and Delaware to purchase wines and spirits not available in Pennsylvania, which is illegal, though rarely enforced. When it is enforced, the consequences can be great and often unfair,” Taylor said.

HB 757 decriminalizes this activity as long as the person making the purchase pays the Pennsylvania taxes owed on the product.

“My bill will specifically allow residents of Pennsylvania to purchase wines, spirits and beer outside of the Commonwealth and bring those purchases home with them without fear of criminal prosecution,” Taylor said.

for all inmates. Pennsylvania is progressing ahead of the curve and many other states in this area.

“However, the DOC understands continuous improvement of these reforms remains a priority. We are currently working with Physician General Rachel Levine and members of the transgender community to be more inclusive of advocates in our centralized review processes.

“These review processes are to try to balance the safety of transgender inmates and the rest of the population.”

One prisoner wrote us: “Are Pennsylvania’s male prisons Mars or Venus? This is both a disservice and insult. It also raises the questions ‘What is the message’ and ‘What penal interest is being served?’

“According the DOC-ADM 801 (DOC Administrative Directive), it is a misconduct or infraction to wear a mask or disguise, with a 90-day punishment in Restricted Housing Unit commonly known as the ‘hole’ or ‘in the buckets’. Ap-

parently the DOC no longer differentiates male and female, but considers the male population androgynous.

“In my opinion the DOC is emasculating and feminizing the entire male population.

This is troubling, because the majority of inmates are black and Latino.

“Anyone with a conscience should contact Pennsylvania Secretary of Prisons John E. Wetzel and ask him what is the reason and purpose for this denigrating and obnoxious change in policy.”

This newspaper wonders how it is 147 inmates claiming or identifying themselves as transgender have been allowed to dress as they please, probably when not on prison duty.

Allowing transsexual males to dress as women will no doubt leave male prisoners wondering whether it is now less of a misconduct to engage in sexual acts with a transsexual. They understand transsexual dressers will do their best to highlight the gender they profess.

Mayfair Gets Alerts On Drug Problems Mayfair families learned from State Rep. John Taylor (R-Northeast) how to protect their families from the growing drug problem plaguing many families at a meeting he hosted.

“The best way to fight this growing epidemic is through a better understanding of how drug abuse begins and how to fight it through education,” Taylor said.

“That’s why these meetings are so important and why I will continue hosting these throughout our district.”

Taylor kicked off the meeting by showing the video “Some Goodbyes Are Forever,” which chronicles the impact of illegal and prescription drug abuse on the community.

Kathy Berry, who lost her 17year-old daughter Karen to a drug overdose in 1998, argued drug abuse happens in every corner of our community. She was joined

by Virginia Pagano of Project Stay Smart. They warned about the dangers of gateway drugs.

“Everyone thinks marijuana and drinking are just a phase,” Taylor said. “They are not. They frequently introduce our kids to the harder drugs that claim lives.”

Berry and Pagano argued that early education is the key to saving lives. It’s why they visit elementary schools. “Principals must have drug education in school,” Taylor said.

Robert N. Dellavella, CEO of the non-hospital residential facility Self Help Center, discussed how it treats the needs of the community.

“Alcohol and drug addiction does not discriminate by age, race or economic status,” Taylor said.

“It is devastating to both the individual fighting the disease and those surrounding them.

The Philadelphia Public Record (PR-01) (ISSN 1938-856X) (USPS 1450) Published Weekly Requested Publication ($20 per year Optional Subscription) The Philadelphia Public Record 1323 S. Broad Street Phila., PA 19147 Periodical Postage Paid at Philadelphia PA and additional mailing office POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: The Public Record 1323 S. Broad Street Phila. PA 19147 215-755-2000 Fax: 215-689-4099 Editor@phillyrecord.com EDITORIAL STAFF Editor & Publisher: James Tayoun, Sr. Managing Editor: Anthony West Assistant Editor: Cassie Hepler Editorial Staff: Joe Sbaraglia Out & About Editor: Denise Clay Contributing Editor: Bonnie Squires CitiLife Editor: Ruth R. Russell Veteran Affairs Dan Sickman: Creative Director & Editorial Cartoonist: Ron Taylor Photographers: Leona Dixon Wendell Douglas Harry Leech Bill Myers Bookkeeping: Haifa Hanna Webmaster: Sana Muaddi-Dows Advert. Director: John David Controller: John David Account Exec: Bill Myers Circulation: Steve Marsico Yousef Maaddi The Public Record welcomes news and photographs about your accomplishments and achievements which should be shared with the rest of the community. Contact us by phone, fax, e-mail or by dropping us a note in the mail. If you mail a news item, please include your name, address and daytime telephone number so we can verify the information you provided us, if necessary. The Public Record reserves the right to edit all news items and letters for grammar, clarity and brevity. ©1999-2015 by the Philadelphia Public Record. No reproduction or use of the material herein may be made without the permission of the publisher. The Philadelphia Public Record will assume no obligation (other than the cancellation of charges for the actual space occupied) for accidental errors in advertisements, but we will be glad to furnish a signed letter to the buying public.

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The Public Record • December 31, 2015

Page 4

Special Election Expected For 192nd, 200th Dists.

by Joe Shaheeli Mar. 15 is remembered by most of us who attended high school as the “Ides of March”, when Julius Caesar was warned to beware of events on that day. Sure enough, Brutus and fellow senators did him in.

So those aspiring to what could be a special election called for the 192nd Legislative Dist. seat scheduled for Mar. 15 need remember what happened to Caesar. The City’s Board of Elections has received a writ to go ahead with that election.

On hold, but expected to run concurrently with the 192nd, is the 200th presently held by State Rep. Cherelle Parker, now CouncilwomanElect of the 9th Dist. She expects to resign by her swearing in on the 4th.

We suggest potential challengers heed this analysis of the 192nd.

At least three names have surfaced to replace State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop (DW. Phila.), following her recent resignation from a seat she had long held. They include the 34th Ward’s 30-year committeeman Lynwood Sav-

W. Philly Rings In Season

HOST of W. Phila. leaders gathered at The Enterprise Center for huge holiday get-together.

From left are Tony Folk, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, Ward Leader Pete Wilson, State Rep. Jim Roebuck, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, Congressman Chaka Fattah, State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown, legislative candidate Morgan Cephas, State Sen. Anthony Williams and Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. Photo by Wendell Douglas age, the 52nd Ward’s chair Steve Jones, and Councilman Curtis Jones’ high-ranked staffer Morgan Cephas.

Three wards make up the district, the 4th, 34th and 52nd. Of these, only the 34th is fully in the district.

Also, potential candidates need to know Congressman and Democratic Party Chairman Bob Brady (D-Phila.) is leader of the 34th Ward. This is Brady’s back yard, his home turf. Savage has put in years of loyal service, and good ward leaders always support the aspirations of their loyal committee people. And ward

Always Hard At Work for You!

leaders in the District can understand why Congressman Brady should get his way.

Need we say more?

Look for primary fights in at least 10 legislative districts this Apr. 26 primary. We have been posting them here as we are alerted by challengers. The latest is the 195th, acquired by State Rep. Donna Bullock (DN. Phila.) in a special election.

She now will be facing challenger Judge Jimmy Moore, who has strong roots and support in the 32nd Ward and has the support of retired State Rep. Frank Oliver, now Democratic City Treasurer and leader of the 29th Ward, which in effect controls the majority Representative

Vanessa Lowery Brown 190th Legislative District

of Democratic votes expected to turn out in that district.

Here Are Those On Stage For City’s 193rd Inaugural James F. Kenney, 99th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia; City Council of Philadelphia: Council President Darrell L. Clarke (5th Dist.), Councilman Mark Squilla (1st Dist.), Councilman Kenyatta Johnson (2nd Dist.), Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell (3rd Dist.), Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. (4th Dist.), Councilman Bobby Henon (6th Dist.), Councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sánchez (7th Dist.), Councilwoman Cindy Bass (8th Dist.), Cherelle L. Parker (9th Dist.), Councilman Brian

8th Senatorial District

2901 Island Ave. Suite 100 Philadelphia, PA 19153 (215) 492-2980 • Fax: (215) 492-2990

John M. Younge; Court of Common Pleas New Judges: Gwendolyn N. Bright, Scott DiClaudio, Michael Fanning, Abbe F. Fletman, Daine Grey, Jr., Christopher Mallios, Ourania Papademetriou, Mia R. Perez, Kenneth J. Powell, Jr., the Honorable Stephanie M. Sawyer, Kai Scott, and Lyris Younge; Municipal Court, Newly Elected Judges: Christine M. Hope, Sharon Williams Losier and Joffie C. Pittman III; Municipal Court, Retention Judges: Frank T. Brady, Patrick F. Dugan, Barbara S. Gilbert, Gerard A. Kosinski, H. Neifield, Dawn A. Segal, Craig M. Washington; Scheduled participants: Mayor Michael A. Nutter; former Mayors John F. Street, Edward G. Rendell, Wilson Goode, and Bill Green; Hon. Kevin Dougherty, Hon. Susan Gantman, Hon. Marsha H. (Cont. Next Page)

Rep. Roebuck At Convention Gathering

Councilman

Mark

Squilla 1435 N. 52nd St. Phila. PA 19131

(215) 879-6615

1st District City Hall Room 332

215-686-3458/59

REP. JIM ROEBUCK, board member of Convention & Visitors Bureau, had chance to talk with Hon. Carol Aichele, former Penna. State Secretary, and Brook Lenfest, philanthropist, at Phila. Convention & Visitors Bureau gala.

Photo by Bonnie Squires

State Rep.

Donna Bullock 195th Leg. Dist.

2839 W. Girard Ave Phila, PA 19130 T: (215) 684-3738 F: (215) 235-4629

State Senator

Anthony Hardy Williams

J. O’Neill (10th Dist.), Allan Domb, Derek S. Green, Councilman William K. Greenlee, Helen Gym, Councilman David Oh, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown and Al Taubenberger; City Commissioners: Commissioner Anthony Clark, Lisa M. Deeley, and Commissioner Al Schmidt; Sheriff Jewell Williams; Register of Wills Ronald R. Donatucci; In The Courts: Alice Dubow, Superior Court of Pennsylvania; Court of Common Pleas; Retention Judges: Tracy Brandeis-Roman, Glenn B. Bronson, Ann Butchart, Matthew D. Carrafiello, Amanda Cooperman, Charles J. Cunningham, III, Idee Fox, F. Lachman, Patricia A. McInerney, Walter J. Olszewski, Frank Palumbo, Lillian H. Ransom, Susan I. Schulman, Lisette ShirdanHarris, Leon W. Tucker, and

State Senator

JOHN P. SABATINA JR. Fifth Senate District 12361 Academy Rd. Philadelphia, PA 19154

215-281-2539 www.SenatorSabatina.com

State Senator

Larry Farnese First Senate District Tel. 215-952-3121 1802 S. Broad St.• Phila. PA 19145

www.SenatorFarnese.com

State Rep

Joanna E. McClinton 191st Leg. Dist.

6027 Ludlow St. Unit A Phila., PA 19139

T: (215) 748-6712 F: (215) 748-1687

COMMISSIONER

AL SCHMIDT ROOM 134

City Hall 215-686-3464

Rep. Rosita

Youngblood 198th District 310 W. Chelten Ave. Phila PA 19148

P: 215-849-6426

Kenney Conducts National Searches Mayor-elect Jim Kenney has been conducting a national search for the past several weeks for Prisons, Fire and Human Services Commissioners.

He said, “Our transition team has identified incredible, topnotch talent from right here in Philadelphia to fill many of the administration’s top posts.

And, we also think it’s extremely important to look outside this city and consider what that external perspective could bring. The search process is going well, and we look forward to welcoming these new Commissioners to the City in the early months of my administration.”

He should be able to make those individuals known shortly after inauguration.

Mayor Jim Kenney’s announcement he has appointed Lauren Hitt as the City’s Communications Director is most welcome to us in the

press. To us, we found her ability to generate news copy from the Kenney campaign for Mayor amazing … something like 15 news releases in a single day. We know we will get the same output in her new responsibility.

GOP Leadership Failed To Call Budget Vote The Republican leadership of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives abruptly ended hopes for a budget by Christmas without calling a vote on the bipartisan budget agreement that would have ended the nearly six-month impasse.

The bipartisan resolution was led by Philadelphia Republican House member John Taylor. However, Republican Speaker of the House Mike Turzai and Republican Majority Leader Dave Reed stymied the compromise that had been reached by Gov. Tom Wolf, Senate Republicans and Democrats, and House Democrats by adjourning the House

Rep.Maria P.

Donatucci

D-185th District 2115 W. Oregon Ave. Phila PA 19145 P: 215-468-1515 F: 215-952-1164

John

215-744-2600 State Rep.

William Keller 184th District 1531 S. 2nd Street

215-271-9190

Boyle 172nd Dist.

7518 Frankford Ave. Phila., PA 19136

215-331-2600

COHEN 215-342-6340

Room 506 City Hall P. 215-686-3446/7 F. 215-686-1927

(R) 177th Dist.

4725 Richmond St. Phila., PA 19137

Kevin J.

Mark B.

Greenlee

Taylor

State Rep.

State Rep.

Councilman Wm.

State Rep.

and leaving Harrisburg.

This has brought condemnation by members of the Philadelphia Democratic caucus.

In the latest Rasmussen Reports poll, taken right after the third and most-recent Democratic debate shows Hillary has lost crucial ground in the Democratic nomination battle.

Before the debate, Rasmussen had her defeating Bernie Sanders by 50-29 (a margin of 21). Now her lead is down to 16 points – 46 to 30. Her four-point drop in vote share is huge because it means a majority of the Democratic primary voters do not want to vote for her.

Sanders won 30 points in the poll, O’Malley got 7 points, 9% favored some other candidate, and 8% were undecided.

So 46% vote for Hillary and 54% don’t. Hillary has lost her majority.

In the previous Rasmussen poll, Hillary still had a major-

202nd Legislative District

7012 Castor Ave. Philadelphia PA 19149

R EPRESENTATIVE

A NGEL C RUZ DISTRICT OFFICE

3503 ‘B’ St. 215-291-5643 Ready to Serve you

Special Election Set For Pileggi’s Seat The Republican Party of Pennsylvania will help nominate the Republican candidate on the ballot for the upcoming Special Election in the 9th Senatorial Dist. It will do so at a meeting being called in anticipation of State Sen. Dominic Pileggi’s (R-Delaware) resignation as he assumes office as a Delaware County Judge on Jan. 4.

Due to the fact this State Senate District is made up of more than one county, the Rules & Bylaws of the Repub-

CONGRESSMAN Bob Brady aide Donald “Ducky” Birts congratulates Deacon Joseph Fisher on his 100th birthday. lican Party of Pennsylvania Each of the counties that dictate that PAGOP preside comprise the 9th Dist. will be over a conferee meeting to se- represented by their respective lect a Republican nominee. number of allotted conferees The conferee meeting will be based on the votes received by held on Thursday, Jan. 7, at the Republican nominee for 7:00 p.m. at the Concordville President in the 2012 election.

Inn, 780 Baltimore Pike, Glen Conferees must be registered Mills, Pa. (Cont. Page 8)

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Congrats To Lauren Hitt Who Knows Press Needs

W. PHILLY GOP made merry as usual at Ward Leader Matt Wolfe’s parkside home. From left are Ward Leaders Denise Furey, Wolfe, Annie Havey, Adam Lang and Walt Vogler; and State Rep candidate Ross Feinberg.

Deacon’s 100th Birthday

The Public Record • December 31, 2015

(Cont. From Prev. Page) Neifeld, Hon. Rosalyn K. Robinson, and Hon. Sheila Woods-Skipper; His Excellency Charles J. Chaput, Rev. Terrence Griffith, Rabbi Jill L. Maderer, Reverend John H. Roberts, Sr., and Reverend John W. Swope; Nick Taliaferro, WURD (emcee).

The event will be held at the Academy of Music on Jan. 4 at 10 a.m.

ity of 50% while Bernie was back at 29%.

Once you lose your majority in politics, you are in trouble. Hillary is now in trouble.

Ominously for Hillary in the general election, Sanders soundly defeated Hillary by 53 to 33 among independents who said they would vote in the Democratic Primary — a prime target for the Republican candidate in November.

Hillary’s candidacy is also about gender. Men broke even between Sanders and Clinton while 55% of women supported Hillary.

The Rasmussen poll tends to favor Republicans.

Page 5

Wolfe’s At Door This Xmas

The Public Record • December 31, 2015

Page 6

SEPTA Workers Donated 10,000 Toys This Season

SEPTA employees gave Santa helping hand by donating 10,000 toys to Authority’s 35th annual “Yuletoy” Toy Drive. Games, dolls and bikes for children of all ages were collected by SEPTA employees at all Authority shops, districts, depots and Center City

headquarters. On Dec. 23, SEPTA employees stuffed two buses, including one decorated like Thomas the Tank Engine, and delivered gifts to several agencies in SEPTA’s service region. Among groups benefiting from Yuletoy Drive were Asociación Puertor-

Laborers Local 135 Brought Santa To Norristown Youngsters

riqueños en Marcha, Calvary Chapel Word of Life, Neighbor to Neighbor, Whosoever Gospel Mission and The Rock. SEPTA General Mgr. Jeff Knueppel joined SEPTA “Elf” Maxine Dobbins in loading toys on festive buses.

Sheriff’s Bike Unit Did Double Duty

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WORSHIPFUL Junior Grand Warden Donald C. Jones stands next to Sheriff Jewell Williams as he and members of Sheriff’s Bike Unit prepare to distribute toys to children in need at 1st District Prince Hall Masons Christmas Party held at Prince Hall Grand Lodge at Broad Street & Hunting Park Avenue.

LABORERS’ Local 135 Business Mgr. Daniel L. Woodall, Jr., and his elves Tanya and Alajah Carter share moment with Santa “Kevin McIntosh” Claus and roomful of youngsters who received toys as Woodall and his union members hosted their annual Christmas Party at headquarters for needy youngsters of all ages.

LOOK AT what Santa gave us! These youngsters struggled to hang onto presents they received from Local 135 Business Mgr. Daniel “Tiger” Woodall, Jr., and union members.

SANTA’S elves, Tiffany Carter and her daughter Alajah, center, are all smiles as one of many families gathered up their toys from Santa and Laborers’ Local 135.

WAITING for Santa Claus to arrive are some of children hosted by D a n i e l “Tiger” Woodall and Local 135 at annual Christmas Party.

United for Public Education, which never hesitates to pound on doors and block the sidewalks in quest of what it sees as Philadelphia children’s academic needs.

Not for a long time have their needs been needier.

After the collapse of Gov. Ed Rendell’s expansive budgets, Republican rule in Harrisburg starting in 2011 has kept the Philadelphia School District teetering over a chronic fiscal crisis. The School Reform Commission was created in 1998 to dump the City’s academic costs onto the lap of the State. But as 2015 ended, the Republican House of Representatives was still firmly declining to cover its needs.

State control had become State strangulation.

City schools emerged as the top political issue of the municipal election season – and Gym benefited from it.

She knocked off a Democratic Party-endorsed incumbent in

the May primary and led the Council-at-Large ticket in November.

When she’s in attack mode, slamming an establishment she finds worth slamming, Gym minces no words.

“Fiery” is just first gear for her then.

But Gym thinks people who judge her by tempestuous sound bites miss the other side of who she is: the side that puts together organizations that can pull together and win.

“I am known for building coalitions and bringing a diversity of voices to bear on big, complicated public institutions – a process that makes us a stronger institution,” she explained in an interview this month.

Gym looks askance on topdown management and favors a progressive approach of collaboration and collegiality.

This is the attitude needed to drive anybody’s agenda anywhere on City Council. She is

Helen Gym … firebrand for change hoping it will serve her well there.

“People who only see the combative side of me, miss why I got elected to City Council. It wasn’t just through bomb-throwing. I spent decades of trust-building all across the city,” she said.

Gym fell into school activism through its grass roots.

She had just returned to Philadelphia, where she had attended the University of Pennsylvania, after a brief stint as a journalist in her native Ohio, when her boyfriend

(now husband) attorney Bret Flaherty got a job here. She too found work, as a teacher at Lowell ES in Olney.

That began an immersion in community-based education for her. She developed a feel and a passion for the interconnections between neighborhood institutions. To this day, she retains ties to the communities of Far North Philadelphia – ties that showed in her strong vote from those wards this year.

Gym also became involved in the community struggles of Chinatown during the 1990s.

Also she is Korean American, not Chinese, and does not live in Chinatown, she was excited by the bottom-up activism of Asian Americans United, which was struggling then to save Chinatown from renewal, fighting to maintain its character without being relocated.

“There was a tremendous amount of intellectual energy

then,” she recalled. Gym thrives on bursts of energy, and on the sense of comradeship in campaigning. “We kept pushing for a vibrant Chinatown, kept connected with neighborhood leaders of an often-marginalized community,” she said. “We needed to see some engagement with the City in a morerobust fashion.”

So for her, schools are of a piece with the communities they serve. She will be an instinctive supporter (if not a mentor) of Mayor Jim Kenney’s vision of “community schools” as hubs of integrated public services alongside education.

But schools remain Job One for Gym. Of the School District, she said, “There is a lot of energy invested in leadership at the top, but not much to show for it. We see their big salaries, their egos, their entourages.

(Cont. Page 15)

The Public Record • December 31, 2015

by Tony West Many people find careers in educational leadership. But in Philadelphia, where school achievement has been in short supply for decades, educational leadership has more often been a stumbling block than a stepping stone to high public office.

Helen Gym has carved out an unusual career as a leader against the educational establishment, critiquing it and mobilizing activists to change its ways. Fixing the city’s public schools has turned into a lifelong mission – and a mission that swept her into office in 2015 as a City Councilwoman at Large.

In 1994, Gym started Public School Notebook, an ambitious bimonthly newspaper that has become a widely respected and fearless independent eye on a huge urban school district. She cofounded in 2006 a tenacious public-school lobby, Parents

Page 7

Helen Gym Goes To Head Of Freshman Class

Congressman

Robert Brady Wishes You A www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

Paid for by Committee to Elect Bob Brady

Page 8 The Public Record • December 31, 2015

(Cont. From Page 5) Republican electors that reside in the district.

There will be a total of 61 conferees: 35 from Delaware County, and 26 from Chester County. These conferees are selected in accordance with each county party’s bylaws.

During the meeting, each candidate will have the oppor-

tunity to make a presentation to the conferees. After each candidate has an opportunity to be heard, the conferees will vote to nominate candidates to fill the party’s position on the ballot. A nominated candidate must secure a majority of the votes cast to earn the nomination.

Any registered Republican who meets the constitutional requirements for this position may seek the party’s nomination.

Candidates interested in

seeking the party’s nomination must contact Republican Party Political Dir. Cody Harbaugh by calling (717) 234-4901, ext. 142 or by emailing charbaugh@pagop.org by Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.

Philly NOW Scores Diversity Twofer The Philadelphia Chapter of the National Organization for Women has notched an unusual twofold advance in diversity with the election of new officers for 2016-2018.

Incoming President Natalie

’Twas A Grand Old Party!

Catin-St. Louis will be the chapter’s first African American President. She succeeds Dr. Nina Ahmad, who is becoming the Deputy Mayor for Public Engagement.

Catin-St. Louis has appointed Malcolm Kenyatta as President of the Philadelphia NOW Education Fund. Kenyatta, a political consultant, is a member of Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club. He will be the second male officer in the chapter’s history.

UPWARDS of 100 people from all walks of life turned out (Cont. Page 13) for United Republican Club’s rollicking holiday party in Kensington. A merry evening was had here by Shamar Smith, Dana Walls, Terry Starks and Shawn Duffy.

EVENING’S hero Councilman-Elect Al Taubenberger was crowd favorite for Phil Innamorato, Ross Feinberg, Committeewoman Helen Bonushi and others.

GOP Deputy Exec. Dir. and party animal Annie Havey sings song specially written in Al Taubenberger’s honor as Ward Leader Bill Pettigrew raises his glass in salute.

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Stevens Teams Up

FAX: 215-624-9263

www.unionroofing.net

WE DO OUR OWN WORK • NO SUBCONTRACTORS

FANS of Roxborough attorney Sean Stevens gathered at Black Sheep in Rittenhouse Square to fuel his campaign for 194th State House Dist. From left are Fred Druding, Jr., Sean McGovern, Stevens, dad Jim Stevens, wife Janice Taylor and Paul McKenna; in front are Stevens’ children Will and Clementine.

Page 9

OUR OPINION Butkovitz Report An Eye-Opener

The Public Record • December 31, 2015

It’s an eye-opener and it proves what homeowners have long known: “Success” brings a penalty they must suffer. They are victims of a system that penalizes them for living in neighborhoods where home prices have gone through the roof.

Thanks to a report released this week by City Controller Alan Butkovitz, we learn just how unfair is the process by which homes and commercial properties are assessed for tax purposes.

To be sure, it is good news the City of Philadelphia General Fund tax revenues for Fiscal Year 2016 are up $85 million over last year and General Fund tax revenues through the first five months of the current fiscal year totaled $892 million compared to $807 million collected during the same period last year, for a year-over-year increase of 10.5%.

Here are the heroes (or culprits) bringing in the additional revenue: The Business Income and Receipts Tax revenues and Realty Transfer Tax revenues each provided significant boosts of $24 million and $27 million, respectively.

This marked a 76% increase for the BIRT over last year and a 34% increase for the Realty Transfer.

Additional year-over-year tax-revenue increases included the Wage Tax, $25 million; Parking Tax, $6 million; and Real Estate, $2 million.

Along with reporting the latest City tax revenues, the Controller’s economic report reviewed home sales over the last year and found 14,016 sales were posted from December 2014 through November 2015.

So in addition to higher taxes on almost everything, penalized additionally are those living in neighborhoods with the highest recorded sales.

This includes, reports Butkovitz, sections of Southwest Center City, including Grays Ferry and Point Breeze, and east of Broad Street from Queen Village to East Passyunk. These neighborhoods, which had at more than 600 sales in each, combined represented almost 25% of the total sales over the 12-month period.

So assessments have climbed – and so have taxes on those properties and the rest of the properties in those neighborhoods where homeowners have worked to keep their properties up to date and their neighborhoods attractive. Rather than getting tax credits for doing their best, those homeowners are penalized for their efforts.

It is a shame no initiatives have surfaced in previous City administrations to consider rewarding the longtime residents and homeowners with “improvement tax credits”. Perhaps the new administration under Mayor Jim Kenney will promote such an innovation.

This would encourage homeowners and investors in neighborhoods with the fewest sales, less than 150 in each, which included sections of North Philadelphia, Eastwick, Manayunk, Chestnut Hill and sections of West Philadelphia around University City, to emulate those living in the more highly taxed areas.

We applaud Gov. Wolf for refusing to be bullied by the small group of arch-conservatives in the Republican party regarding the State budget.

We keep thinking of the television show, “Let’s Make a

Deal” -- and, in fact, there WAS a deal a week ago -which was scuttled by those individuals led by Speaker Mike Turzai. Gov. Wolf has wisely decided on emergency funding, but that is not the whole answer.

We need to get back to Harrisburg and finish up our work - the Governor, the Senate and the House Democrats had already compromised, which is what the House Republicans now need to do. - State Rep. Jim Roebuck

Jan. 4- Inaugural Ceremonies for new Administration, City Council and Jurists.

Jan. 7- Derek Green hosts Inaugural Celebration at 1925

Lounge, 111 S. 17th St., 6-8 p.m. Tickets $250. RSVP Kelly Bauer (610) 297-3754 or kbauer@advantagepep.com.

Jan. 9- Six Italian Societies sponsor Evening with cocktails, dinner and live music for State Sen. John Sabatina, Jr. at Townsend Rm., 12273

Townsend Rd. 7-11 p.m.

Tickets $75.

Jan 9- State Rep. Vanessa Brown hosts Youth Trip to State Farm Show, leaves from 1435 W. 52nd St. 8 a.m., leaves Harrisburg 2 p.m.

Tickets $10, Contact her office (215) 879-6615.

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

Letters • Letters • Letters

NOW BA CK

Page 10

NORTH BRO N O A

TRAINED SKILLS

TREET DS

The Public Record • December 31, 2015

LABORERS UNION

POLITICAL maven Ken Washington, attorney Sharif Street and Laborers 332 President DEPENDABLE Laborer volunteers Robert Cory Robinson shared year-end comradeship Poulson, John Welch and Tyrone Chestnut never miss a union function. at Laborers’ Hall in N. Central Phila.

Photo by Wendell Douglas

Photo by Wendell Douglas

Labors Union…Building it right for a better and stronger community And promoting renaissance of North Broad St. Laborers’ District Council of the Metropolitan Area of Philadelphia and vicinity is comprised of four unions: Local 332, Samuel Staten, Jr., Vincent Primavera, Jr. Business Manager/Co-Chairman L.E.C.E.T. Co-Chairman Local 135, Daniel L. Woodall, Jr., Damian Lavelle Business Manager L.E.C.E.T. Management Trustee Local 413, James Harper, Jr., Fred Chiarlanza Business Manager L.E.C.E.T. Management Trustee Local 57, Walt Higgins Harry Hopkins Business Manager L.E.C.E.T. Management Trustee Laborers District Council, Ryan N. Boyer, Business Manager.

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

Laborers Celebrate Holidays In Grand Style

Laborers’ District Council promotes a safe work environment, jobs completed on time and on budget, and represents union members, who are well trained, productive, professional, and take pride in their work. Union labor…building better and safer communities in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties.

CHARLIE BRANCH joined Veterans Advi- LABORERS’ District Council Business Mgr. sory Commissioner Tony Jenkins at Labor- Ryan Boyer enjoyed attractive company at Photo by Wendell Douglas Photo by Wendell Douglas holiday party. ers’ holiday banquet.

PRESIDENT Cory Robinson and his sister Cynthia Robinson welcome Laborers’ Local 332 Business Mgr. Sam Staten, Jr. to FIRST came Laborers’ traditional holiday party.

Photo by Wendell Douglas feast...

Photo by Wendell Douglas

This ad is presented by LECET The Laborers Employers Cooperation and Education Trust 665 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123 Telephone: 215-922-6139 Fax: 215-922-6109 Web: www.ldc-phila-vic.org Juan F. Ramos Administrator …THEN their equally traditional cutting a rug!

Photo by Wendell Douglas

Martin Regusters, Leaping Lion Photography

FAATIMAH Gamble with longtime friends and supporters at An Evening of Style & Grace fashion show fundraiser. Pictured here is Faatimah Gamble (Co-founder of Universal Companies) with community leaders: Sharmain Matlock-Turner, Minister Rodney Muhammad and Sharon Powell. Photo by Mar-

The Public Record • December 31, 2015

PRESIDENT & CEO, Rahim Islam, with friends and supporters, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and Dawn Chavous seen at “An Evening of Style & Grace” fashion show fundraiser benefitting youth of Universal Cos.’ social etiquette and character development program, Pearls of Wisdom & From Boys to Men. Photo by

Page 11

Raising Stylish Awareness

tin Regusters, Leaping Lion Photography

Photo by Martin Regusters, Leaping Lion Photography

City Year Hosts Women CITY YEAR held another successful Women’s Leadership Luncheon at Union League, honoring students who volunteer and donors who support them. Seen here are Karen Keating Mara, cochair of Board of Trustees; Cheryl Bullock, regional director for US Sen. Bob Casey, Jr.; and keynote speaker, award-winning author Jennifer Weiner.

Photo by Bonnie Squires

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

ALEX HOLLEY, Co-Anchor, Good Day, FOX29 News, Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, Faatimah Gamble, Co-Founder of Universal Companies; Mike Jerrick, Co-Anchor Good Day, FOX29 News, shared this moment at “An Evening of Style & Grace” fashion show fundraiser.

Page 12 The Public Record • December 31, 2015 www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

The Year in Review – the Good, the Bad and the Downright Creepy.

The Very Good. On Mar. 24, MARTINA WHITE won a special election to fill US CONGRESSMAN BRENDAN BOYLE’S State Rep seat (Dist. 170). This is the first time in over two decades that a Republican took a State Rep seat in Philadelphia previously held by a Democrat.

The Not-So-Good and the Not-So-Bad #1. The year began with the swearing in of a new Governor, TOM WOLF. His campaign rhetoric was left of center, but then again he is a Democrat. We were cautiously optimistic as he is a businessman.

In January, we also saw increased Republican majorities in both the State House and Senate. We hoped this would counter the Governor. From the outset, Wolf believed since he beat TOM CORBETT solidly, he had a mandate. Sadly, he missed and is still not getting that he did not really beat Corbett but rather that Corbett beat Corbett. Wolf also discounted the fact the voters increased the Republican majorities in both houses.

The Not-So-Good and the Not-So-Bad #2. KATHLEEN KANE’S problems got worse. While she is the gift that keeps on giving to the Republican Party, the total dysfunction in the Attorney General’s Office is not in the best interest of the citizens of Pennsylvania.

The Stupid. In September, City Council decided not to a take a vote on the proposed acquisition of the Philadelphia (Cont. Page 16)

To be honest, I’m surprised I still have a full head of hair as we approach the end of 2015.

This was a year where I found myself scratching my head a lot. There were a lot of things that went on in 2015 that made me wonder what was going on in the political world.

Particularly Harrisburg.

As of this writing, Gov. Tom Wolf, a man who probably didn’t see this coming when he took the oath of office in January, has line-item vetoed what the Republicans in the State Assembly handed to him as a budget.

He released some money for school districts that have had to take out loans to pay their personnel. He also gave emergency funding to nonprofits that have been trying to continue their mission of helping the least among us. But the rest was scratched out.

This means the Commonwealth is now on the six-month mark when it comes to a lack of budget. It’s a record. Not the kind of record you want to have, when you own two school districts (Chester Upland and Philadelphia) that are already having a hard time educating kids on the pittance you give ’em. But it’s a record nonetheless.

Because of this, new Mayor Jim Kenney is going to have some challenges as he assumes the Big Office On The Second Floor in January. Kenney became the new Mayor in an election for which most of the city’s population didn’t bother to vote.

Closer to home, things also got interesting. Despite few of us bothering to show up, Philadelphia elected a new Mayor (Cont. Page 17)

Yo! Here we go again. I think you’ll enjoy this. But if you are under 40, you probably won’t understand.

You could hardly see for all the snow, spread the rabbit ears as far as they go. “Good Night, David. Good Night, Chet.” My Mom used to cut chicken, chop eggs and spread mayo on the same cutting board with the same knife and no bleach, but we didn’t seem to get food poisoning.

My Mom used to defrost hamburger on the counter and I used to eat it raw sometimes, too.

The term “cell phone” would have conjured up a phone in a jail cell, and a “pager” was the school PA system. We all took gym, not PE. And risked permanent injury with a pair of high-top Keds (only worn in gym) instead of having cross-training athletic shoes with aircushion soles and built in light reflectors. I can’t recall any injuries, but they must have happened because they tell us how much safer we are now. Flunking gym was not an option.

Even for stupid kids! I guess PE must be much harder than gym.

Speaking of school, we all said prayers and sang the national anthem, and staying in detention after school caught all sorts of negative attention. We must have had horribly damaged psyches.

And where was the Benadryl and sterilization kit when I got that bee sting? I could have been killed! We played “king of the hill” on piles of gravel left on vacant construction sites, and when we got hurt, Mom pulled out the 48-cent bottle of mercurochrome (kids liked it better because it didn’t sting like iodine did) and then we got our butt spanked. Now it’s a trip to the emergency room, followed by a 10-day dose of a $49 bottle of antibiotics, and then Mom calls the attorney to sue the contractor for leaving that pile of gravel.

We didn’t act up at the neighbor’s house either; because if we did we got our butt spanked there and then we got our butt spanked again when we got home. I recall Donny Reynolds from next door coming over and doing his tricks on the front stoop, just before he fell off.

Little did his Mom know that she could have owned our house. Instead, she picked him up and swatted him for being such a goof. It was a neighborhood run amuck.

Not a single person I knew had ever been told that they were from a dysfunctional family.

HERE WE ARE, at the threshold of a new year. During the Christmas Break, I was happy to hear so many people saying “MERRY CHRISTMAS,” versus the LESS WARM “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Holidays.” I believe people became tired of that “correct” malarkey in 2015 and are burned out by bad news (which many tuned out). Wasn’t it great to have a BREAK from PORNGATE and Kane-battering? Was it because the reporters cared about us, or were they on vacation? You need a break from daily writing on those ISSUES. It destroys creativity. I hope news is not being withheld from us, however.

While walking near the DA’s office before Christmas, a pol told me he heard a tale of Kane’s sister. Sure enough, hours later it was echoed at the Bishop hearing. Though the nasty outburst by the Assistant DA up there WON NO VOTES.... A poster online told of a large PORNGATE WALL-WRITING in a Center City office-building men’s room (?). An article where the DA explained why he would not release the Assistant D.A. TRIO, and one where a former Kane aide filed suit, were OLD FILLER – and maybe part of a CONTINUING CONTINUUM of daily zap stories (?). A D.A. press release noted the end of the Bishop matter put an end to the racial tinge to the lawmaker sting. NO WAY, in minds of many.

Listening to MESSIAH over Christmas, I recalled that when you die, you are “raised incorruptible.” So we have been, are, or will be naughty at some point in life. To writers (Cont. Page 19)

It was a crazy and exciting year in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania politics.

York businessman TOM WOLF came out of nowhere to handily win the Democratic primary against many well-known candidates, including the Philadelphia-area CONGRESSWOMAN ALLYSON SCHWARTZ, KATHLEEN MCGINTY and former STATE TREASURER ROB McCORD. McCord ended up being indicted for heavy-handed fundraising during the campaign.

And Schwartz’s campaign peaked too early and then failed impress to voters with TV ads.

But Wolf offered a fresh start and was, most of all, an “acceptable” option to the very unpopular GOV. TOM CORBETT. Philadelphia’s own MIKE STACK was also swept into the office as Lieutenant Governor.

Stack dispatched four other candidates from different geographical parts of the state.

But the big surprise in Philadelphia was the election of COUNCILMAN JIM KENNEY to the position of Mayor. All of the conventional knowledge dictated that STATE SEN. ANTHONY HARDY WILLIAMS would win easily. But Williams’ campaign never developed a particular theme or direction and it turned out the Senator had many enemies lying in wait.

The African American community mostly turned against him. And when the influential Northwest group endorsed Kenney, the campaign was all but over. What was most surprising was the level of beating Kenney inflicted upon Tony Williams throughout the city’s very-different wards and ethnic groups.

But the city is hopeful that a Kenney vision will make Philadelphia all it can be.

He named RICHARD ROSS as Police Commissioner and SHELLY CAMERON as CEO of the airport. His leadership style has been decisive and his choices have been sound. And even though Kenney is thought to have a sometimes-abrasive personality, his relationships with the Harrisburg folks are better than MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER’S. Mostly this is because he is not Mayor Nutter.

As of this writing, the budget stalemate in Harrisburg continues. Gov. Wolf continues to fight for more funding for public schools and has line-item vetoed portions of a stopgap budget sent to him by House Republicans.

Kenney’s success is tied to Wolf’s budget success. More State aid will help Kenney manage (Cont. Page 17)

With the UNIONS

Carpenters Do It One Better!

Mayor-Elect Jim Kenny is asking attendees to donate to a private reception for the Fund for the School District.

Despite the fact his union has been at odds with the Convention Center Authority, with no help from the

city, Carpenters Business Mgr. Ed Coryell announced this week the Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters will skip all the fanfare at the event and donate $100,000 directly to the School Fund.

He will not go to the

Convention Center where the Kenney Reception is being held.

Carpenters have been locked out of the Convention Center since May 2014, awaiting an appeal to be heard before the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board.

The Public Record • December 31, 2015

LDC, which he has served in several capacities.

Sharif also has the support of Sheriff Jewell Williams, who is the leader of the powerful 16th Ward in the district, and with whose office the candidate has worked closely.

He’s well known throughout the city and in Harrisburg.

Suggestion here to potential candidates is stay out of this Senate Democratic primary, which will carry this race.

Street, the son of former Mayor John Street, will have the Force with him.

(Cont. Page 14)

Page 13 www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

State Representative and then as Senator.

She will be handing off her 3d Senatorial seat to attorney Sharif Street, whose face is familiar to voters and readers of this paper since he regularly appears in photos we publish.

(Cont. From Page 8) He has the support of LaShirley Will Be borers District Council, and Missed In Senate no doubt will enjoy the supState Sen. Shirley Kitchen port of other unions as a re(D-N. Phila.), known for her sult.

Ken Washington, commonsense approach to recording secretary of tackling legislative and local Philadelphia Council AFLconstituent problems, will re- CIO, will be his campaign main a force in City and State manager. Ken had been an politics after she retires after early challenger for the seat, completing over 20 years as but respected the wishes of the an elected official, first as a leadership of his union, the In The Court of Common Pleas Philadelphia County Civil Action – Law No. 150400072 Notice of Action in Mortgage Foreclosure Green Tree Servicing LLC Plaintiff vs. The Unknown Heirs of Rae Gardner, Deceased & Stacey Reese, Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Rae Gardner, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner Defendant(s) To: The Unknown Heirs of Rae Gardner Deceased & Stacey Reese, Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Rae Gardner Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s), whose last known address is 2404 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146. This firm is a debt collector and we are attempting to collect a debt owed to our client. Any information obtained from you will be used for the purpose of collecting the debt. You are hereby notified that Plaintiff, Green Tree Servicing LLC, has filed a Mortgage Foreclosure Complaint endorsed with a notice to defend against you in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, docketed to No. 150400072, wherein Plaintiff seeks to foreclose on the mortgage secured on your property located, 2404 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, whereupon your property will be sold by the Sheriff of Phila. County. Notice: You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the following pages, you must take action within twenty (20) days after the Complaint and notice are served, by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the Court without further notice for any money claimed in the Complaint for any other claim or relief requested by the Plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you. You should take this paper to your lawyer at once. If you do not have a lawyer or cannot afford one, go to or telephone the office set forth below. This office can provide you with information about hiring a lawyer. If you cannot afford to hire a Lawyer, this office may be able to provide you with information about agencies that may offer legal services to eligible persons at a reduced fee or no fee.

Community Legal Services, Inc., Law Center North Central, 1410 W. Erie Ave., Phila., PA 19140, 215-227-2400/215-9813700. Phila. Bar Assoc., One Reading Center, Phila., PA 19104, 215-238-6333. Michael T. McKeever, Atty. for Plaintiff, KML Law Group, P.C., Ste. 5000, Mellon Independence Center, 701 Market St., Phila., PA 19106-1532, 215.627.1322.

Page 14 The Public Record • December 31, 2015 www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

(Cont. From Page 13)

GOP House Members Just Don’t Understand!

Gov. Tom Wolf announced he will finally release emergency funds to school districts and social-service providers, saying, “We’re now at a point where I don’t want to hold the children of Pennsylvania hostage.” This decision comes six months after Wolf chose to withhold funds from students and the poor by vetoing a similar budget in its entirety on Jun. 30.Wolf also has line vetoed significant portions of the General Assembly’s budget — which he termed “garbage” legislation.

Education spending is already at record levels and ex-

ceeds the national average by $3,000 per student at over $15,000. The General Assembly has compromised on Wolf’s goal to boost education funding above and beyond this record high, despite the lack of real reforms or accountability measures.

There is simply no appetite among the general public or in the Pennsylvania General Assembly — from either Democrats or Republicans — for the dramatic tax hikes required to fuel Wolf’s full spending agenda.

Senate Democrats provided the following reaction to Gov. Tom Wolf’s line-item veto of a Republican budget plan. The Governor released six months of emergency funding for schools and human-service programs, or $23.39 billion of the House Republican’s original $30.3 billion proposal.

Senate Democratic Leader

Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said, “The Governor’s action will hopefully force House Republican lawmakers back to Harrisburg to finish work on a responsible spending plan.

Legislators need to return to business and work toward the passage of the $30.8 billion budget framework agreement.

“The House Republican budget was $500 million out of balance. It does not address the $1.3 billion structural deficit that has hobbled State government and simply continued Corbett-type budgeting for another year. After the House Republicans walked away from a responsible budget plan last week, the governor had few options.”

Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-W. Phila.) noted, “The purposeful decision of House Republicans to repeat-

edly stonewall the agreed-to framework budget has left Pennsylvania’s school system on the brink of collapse, so I applaud the Governor’s decision to approve emergency funding for school districts throughout the Commonwealth.

“Our schools have gone above the call of duty to keep their doors open. They cannot continue to do that, nor should we allow that to happen.

“Pennsylvania’s financial situation remains an urgent one despite the Governor’s action today. Members of the House GOP need to get back to Harrisburg as quickly as they left and approve the agreed-to framework 2015-2016 budget because this is short-term help.

Schools will close if the leadership in this lone caucus continues its bad behavior.”

Senate Democratic Whip Sen. Anthony Williams (D-

W. Phila.) commented, “The organizations that operate in the shadows of Pennsylvania life are closing their doors because of House Republicans are willfully and callously ignoring their plight.

“Our human-service agencies needed a relief valve from the unfair financial burden being placed on them by one of the four legislative caucuses, and Gov. Wolf rightly gave it to them.”

State Sen. Shirley M. Kitchen (D-N. Phila.) remarked, “The Governor did what he had to do with the House Republicans’ sham budget by accepting those financial pieces that will help our schools and social services now.”

Kitchen realistically added, “Pennsylvania lawmakers must still approve a 20152016 budget even though the process for the 2016-2017

spending plan begins in less than five weeks.”

State Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Kensington) noted, “Lawmakers must take the next step and finish the job. Taxpayers, our children and Pennsylvania’s future are dependent on good work in the coming days, not more political parlor games.”

State Rep. John Taylor (RNortheast), who along with Republican House leadership had helped craft a budget Gov. Wolf indicated he would sign (reluctantly), said, “While releasing emergency funds for schools is a positive and necessary step in this chaotic budget process, the Governor’s line-item veto leaves plenty of work to do and many decisions remain unresolved. We still face a massive structural deficit. We still need to provide the necessary funds for schools. We still need to fund nonprofit social services for a full year.

We need to fund our four state-related universities.

“Finally, we have to decide how to pay for it. We need the original $30.8 budget that was agreed to by the Senate and the Governor — and for a shorter period, the House. We must make hard decisions on revenue.

“We must also study what exactly has been vetoed and what spending has been approved by the Governor.”

The Republican members of the House who said “no” to every budget proposal crafted by their leadership now see their walking-around money projects on the cutting floor.

They haven’t learned to give now, then get later – something they will not be able to do when the full budget is passed.

State Rep. Steve McCarter (D-Montgomery) has echoed Wolf’s call for the General Assembly to return to session.

“The Republicans passed a fiscally irresponsible budget that increases the deficit and cuts education funding by $95 million,” McCarter said. “Gov. Wolf’s line-item veto rejects the Republican’s education cuts and out-of-balance budget, while still directing emergency funding for key services.”

Chapters 7/13 & Stop foreclosures, creditors harassments, lawsuits, garnishments, and sheriff sales.

We are a debt-relief agency 1500 Walnut Street • Suite 900 Philadelphia, PA 19102

215-735-1060 ccpc@ccpclaw.com

sniff out funds. “We need many conversations, especially conversations about vision. Vision can drive resources,” she insisted.

On Monday, Gym will begin working with key colleagues 3rd Dist. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, who she said has been “personally

welcoming and engaging, with a tremendous perspective,” and Councilwoman at Large Blondell Reynolds Brown.

They’re the Chair and Vice Chair of the Education Committee. The conversations that ensue will be an important new test of Gym’s vision for Philadelphia schools.

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

Attorneys are both board certified by the American Bankruptcy Certification Board.

what they’re buying. I’ll be a bulldog.” She will find her attitude shared by many of her new colleagues on City Council – not least Council President Darrell Clarke.

Gym’s personal history persuades her that a driving purpose and relentless lobbying can overcome obstacles and

The Public Record • December 31, 2015

(Cont. From Page 7) “But School District leaders don’t live to see the consequences of their policies. We live to pick up the pieces. My son is an 11th-grader. He’s seen seven Superintendents. So I would temper some of the urgency to grant any one person in power to wave a magic wand over the School District.”

Gym is leery of grand experiments in general. “What gets missed a lot is how many of our children live in poverty,” she remarked. “Academically, they need stability more than the latest fad. We want sustainability and substance. Instead, we get schools opening, schools closing … it’s chaotic.”

Although two of her three children have attended a charter school (Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures School in Chinatown), Gym said she wouldn’t want to advocate for charter schools in general.

“How many founders of charter schools send their own kids to their own charter schools?” she charged. “Why do so many charter schools fail? I am very partial to the independent charters but not to the chains. Cyber charters are the worst.”

Even when charters are good, she asserts, they cannot be held up as The Answer. “I am for educational innovation but I do not think innovation is always replicable,” Gym said.

“For sure, charter schools are not a default solution. I have seen schools closed, families left without options. I am cautious and thoughtful about undoing public institutions. I do not think the private narrative

Congress at this hour).

But funding the School District doesn’t mean trusting the School District. “I have no confidence in the School District financial reports,” Gym said. “Clarity is what we need.

People want to know what they’re buying. Colleagues want confidence that they know

Page 15

Helen Gym

has worked.”

Basic education has become “a cage match over public interests between the government and private industry. Our state has been fully hijacked by extremism,” she snapped.

To carry out her mission, though, Gym is going to have to sell her “public narrative” to a Capitol Hill in Harrisburg which will be run by Republicans at least until 2011.

Gym aims to take her Philly attitude to the ’Burg. “I expect to be testifying in Harrisburg a lot,” she said. “I’ll be talking appropriations, safety, economic development. It won’t be a one-time conversation.”

Gym wants to see an end to the School Reform Commission, which she calls dysfunctional.

On the other hand, she wants to increase the State-City funding ratio. “Our clear priority is the lost $300 million from the Corbett administration,” she said.

That’ll be a tall order for a junior councilor from the wrong party and wrong branch of government. But it is Gym’s style of play. And she thinks it may ultimately win the day.

“Corbett lost,” she noted.

“The pro-education message resonated in Allentown and Scranton as well as Philadelphia. Some school districts saw property taxes doubled. Reining in these costs at the state level is smart, sane and doable.”

Gym makes no bones about City school spending either: She wants more. With taxes or without them. “We’re asking people to do a heavy lift,” she said. She would also like to shake down both the Feds and the local private sector for added revenue (more possible, perhaps, from our business community than from

(Cont. From Page 12) Gas Works by UIL Corp.

Page 16

ELEPHANT CITY

COUNCIL

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3290

The Public Record • December 31, 2015

2016 NOTICE OF VACANT PROPERTY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETINGS The Vacant Property Review Committee will meet in the Caucus Room, (Room 401, City Hall) from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. on the following dates: Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Tuesday, February 9, 2016 Tuesday, March 8, 2016 Tuesday, April 12, 2016 Tuesday, May 10, 2016 Tuesday, June 14, 2016 Tuesday, July 12, 2016 Tuesday, August 9, 2016 Tuesday, September 13, 2016 Tuesday, October 11, 2016 Tuesday, November 15, 2016 Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Whether you thought the deal was good or not, City Council should have held an up-down vote. UIL negotiated in good faith and spent $20 million in preparing for this deal. By not holding a vote, Philadelphia sent a chilling message to the business community: Not only will you not get a fair hearing, you will not get a hearing at all. Will City Council’s dismissive and cavalier treatment of UIL encourage other businesses to invest in Philadelphia?

C I T Y

The Bad. In November, the voters of Philadelphia overwhelmingly elected former COUNCILMAN JIM KENNEY to replace MICHAEL NUTTER as Mayor. Nutter was a mediocre Mayor. But my counter is the Nutter administration was the most transparent we have seen in decades.

But Kenney has been a City Councilman for over 20 years.

He has been supportive of every tax increase, policy and burdensome regulation that

C O U N C I L

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3290 NOTICE OF STATED MEETING Notice is hereby given that the first Regular Stated Meeting of City Council for 2016 is scheduled for Monday, January 4, 2016 at 10:00 AM.. This Meeting will be held at the Academy of Music, Broad and Locust Streets, Philadelphia, PA. Michael A. Decker Chief Clerk

SUSIE D. JARMON, CHAIRWOMAN Vacant Property Review Committee

chased taxpayers and businesses out of Philadelphia. Is there anyone who thinks that the next four (and probably eight) years are going to be better?

The Really Bad. In November, Republicans lost all three open seats on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which will result in Democrats’ being the majority on the court in 2016.

The loss of Republican JUDGE JUDY OLSEN, the most-qualified candidate, was bad for Pennsylvania.

The Downright Creepy. On the national front, we are looking at a sitting President with

weak approval ratings. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA is divisive, and anyone who replaces him on the Democratic ticket should be in trouble.

Likely candidate HILLARY CLINTON has proven time and again she is not trustworthy.

However, the leader in GOP polls is equally questionable. DONALD TRUMP speaks in sound bites and feeds into the people’s fears. He is not liked by many Republicans and detested by independents and Democrats. If we don’t get our act together, we will be coronating Hillary.

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THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

Sealed proposals will be received by the Office of Capital Programs at the School Administration Building located at 440 North Broad St., 3rd Floor, Suite 371, Office of Capital Programs, Philadelphia, PA 19130-4015, until 2:00 P.M., on Tuesday, January 19, 2015. A non-refundable 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 philasd.org/capitalbids.

All School District Project require MBE/WBE participation as shown in the specifications.

BUDGET B-022 C of 2014/15 Electrical Contract Cramp ES $1,949,980.00 Electrical Service & HVAC Upgrade 3449 N. Mascher Street

FEE $25.00

B-023 C of 2014/15 Mechanical Contract

Cramp ES $1,274,688.00 $25.00 Electrical Service & HVAC Upgrade 3449 N. Mascher Street *A pre-bid conference and site tour will be held at the project location, on Monday, January 4, 2015 at 1:00 p.m.

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.

Information as to contract documents, etc., may be obtained at the above address, or telephone 215-400-4730. Make checks payable to the School District of Philadelphia.

The Office of Capital Programs reserves the right to reject any and all bids and make the awards to the best interests of the School District of Philadelphia.

Sealed proposals will be received by the Office of Capital Programs at the School Administration Building located at 440 North Broad St., 3rd Floor, Suite 371, Office of Capital Programs, Philadelphia, PA 19130-4015, until 2:00 P.M., on Tuesday, January 26, 2015. A non-refundable 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 philasd.org/capitalbids. All School District Project require MBE/WBE participation as shown in the specifications.

BUDGET FEE B-086 C of 2014/15 General Contract Lamberton School $2,425,169.00 $25.00 Window Replacement 7501 Woodbine Ave. *A pre-bid conference and site tour will be held at the project location, on Wednesday, January 13, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.

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.

Information as to contract documents, etc., may be obtained at the above address, or telephone 215-400-4730. Make checks payable to the School District of Philadelphia.

The Office of Capital Programs reserves the right to reject any and all bids and make the awards to the best interests of the School District of Philadelphia.

(Cont. From Page 12) this year. Former City Councilman Jim Kenney will be filling the Big Chair In The Big Office On City Hall’s 2nd Floor starting in January.

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owed to the college would not be wiped out in the bankruptcy. It mattered that the college continued to use this tool to “encourage” payment.

And that’s enough to get the college into trouble.

So keep this in mind. Getting your transcript freed up may not be a good-enough reason to consider bankruptcy.

As we say, don’t drive a nail with a sledgehammer. But if your debt load is a problem – which is likely if you have college loan problems – then it may be worth exploring how bankruptcy could benefit you.

Next Week’s Question: What is the great computer myth on credit reporting?

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by Michael A. Cibik, Esq. American Bankruptcy Board Certified Question: Can you use bankruptcy to get college transcripts?

Answer: Bankruptcy can help in a lot of ways. One less-well-known benefit is to free up a copy of a college transcript to use for employment or future school applications, when you can’t afford to pay the college right now.

As of 2015, Americans owe more in student-loan debt than credit cards. And a growing portion of that debt is in default.

In some cases, your former college will be a servicer of those loans for a State lender. Or the college is owed money from some other account, like room and board or part of tuition. In those cases, the college will sometimes hold the transcript hostage to satisfaction of the debt or at least reasonable payment arrangements.

You can’t blame the college for trying to do its part to sup-

port the financial system that keeps it alive. But when the former student files bankruptcy, the rules change.

When the bankruptcy is filed, an automatic stay is typically created. The stay prevents a creditor from taking any action to collect the debt owed without the court’s permission.

The automatic stay is a broad and powerful tool. Recently, a bankruptcy judge concluded a college’s withholding a transcript to force payment of a debt was a violation of the stay and the only question was what damages would be ordered.

The judge concluded it did not matter that the student loan

The Public Record • December 31, 2015

OUT & ABOUT

ident, Kenney could end up with a booming economy and unprecedented success.

This year also saw the city performing relatively well during the Pope’s visit and now Philadelphia is back on the international map as a city to visit.

Helen Gym and real-estate magnate Alan Domb.

Missing from council will be City Councilman W. Wilson Goode Jr., who was taught in the May primary that in order to keep an elected office, you sometimes have to campaign for it.

Page 17

CITY HALL (Cont. From Page 12) city schools that always seem to be in crisis. He will also need to manage the Philadelphia economy.

The key advantage he has

is the Democratic National Convention coming to Philadelphia and the millions of tourist dollars that will come to the city. Depending on how well the convention is handled and whether HILLARY CLINTON is nominated and becomes PresHe’ll also be joined by some new Council Members, including State Rep. Cherelle Parker, who will be filling the seat occupied by her mentor, Councilwoman Marian Tasco, who retired this year. Another former Tasco aide, Derek Green, education activist

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The Public Record • December 31, 2015

Page 18

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(Cont. From Page 12) of any embellished Kane and courts stories: “Your meanspiritedness is pardoned.” I paraphrase. And do the actors in Porngate “Imagine a vain thing?...” One paper wished holiday best to us. I thought, Hmm. Then on Facebook I saw where Sean STEVENS’ mom, a newspaper worker of 45 years, was given just a short time to clean out her desk – just before Christmas (?).

HUMBUG. DOING GOOD: State Rep. Vanessa BROWN of the Black Leadership caucus held a fine KWANZAA Awards program and reception at the African American Museum.... Local 98 IBEW did not forget needy kids with toys this Christmas.... And the HIBERNIAN HUNGER PROJECT never forgets the hungry....The 36th Ward Democrats’ website displayed their HOLIDAY HELP efforts.

One editorial told MayorElect Jim KENNEY to hear what folks have to say – not just listen. Seriocomic? KENNEY hears. And soon the “Government will be upon his shoulders.” Kenney may need to look at New Year Parade rules after Inauguration.... Sad losses: Jim PERSING, longtime Aston Township (Delco) GOP Commissioner and charity activist, passed. Beloved by multitudes, and the last “Honey Fitz” of politics, my friend Gentleman Jim.... A real loss suffered by rising star Joe GUERRA, Jr. Esq. with the passing of his grandfather.

The MSGR. LYNN case saw the Superior Court overturn the verdict. So why file an EN BANC if nothing to fear, yes?

Let a NEW TRIAL go forward, with a NEW JUDGE for GOOD CLOSURE.... BIRTHDAYS: YEAR-END birthdays are a list of lifetime achievers like our Public Record photographer (and Marine) Harry LEECH. And good-deed men Elton CANNON or Charles P. MIRARCHI, Esq., and State Rep. Steve KINSEY, who fed biblical-sized citizen groups.

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