Pr 887 s

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA

Vol. XVIII No. 4

Issue 487

January 26, 2017

“The good things we do must be made a part of the public record”

PhiladelphiaPublicRecord

@phillyrecord

PhillyRecord

SPECIAL WINNERS

COACHES ALFONSO PEDULLA AND MARK MOSS, C, INSTRUCT S. PHILA. SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES DURING WARMUPS AT THE EAST PASSYUNK COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER. PHOTO BY ELDON GRAHAM Turn to page 2

ASAIN NEW YEAR STARTS P. 7

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SPECIAL OLYMPICS FIND SOUTH PHILLY HOME

BY ELDON GRAHAM ARENTS OF special needs children know how difficult it is to raise a child with mental and physical disabilities. So when their children can let their hair down and participate in a fun family activity that is something a parent can easily get behind. Thanks to Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s South Philadelphia operation, it is possible for neighborhood children and adults to practice and play sports in a safe, accommodating environment.

Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and join in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Kristin Craven, special events/marketing manager for SOPA, said, “Athletes, to compete, must train at least eight weeks so they can go to the Spring Games in April and eventually the Summer Games at Penn State in June.”

According to Craven, SOPA has been in Philadelphia for over 30 years and has about 2,000 volunteers and 30 coaches in the program.

According to Craven, “Special Olympics PA-Philadelphia has several sports training programs set up around the city utilizing recreation centers and schools – and plenty of volunteers to provide these trainings on a weekly basis.

“In early 2016, we recognized that South Philly neighborhoods had a population of children and adults with ID but were totally underserved as far as programs for them to participate in went. So we decided to start a sports training program at the East Passyunk Community Recreation Cen-

P

ter on Saturday mornings.”

On Saturdays, basketball practice runs 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the recreation center, located at 11th and Mifflin streets. On Sundays, bowling is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.2:00 p.m. at PEP Bowl Lanes at Broad and Federal streets.

“We have several volunteers from the South Philly community volunteering every week to help coach the athletes. Several of our athletes and coaches belong to the South Philly Vikings Mummers Club,” Craven said.

The South Philly program also offers opportunities to enjoy volleyball and soccer. As it progresses in South Philadelphia, SOPA will look to integrate more sports into their program out of the extant 11 at the national and state levels.

There are no special regulations that the coaches or players must adhere to. “Special Olympics tries to align with the national federation of each sport with minor alterations if needed, but typically they tend to stay in line,” Craven said. Minor alterations would be, for example, court size, or how many players for each team are on a court, such as 3-on-3 or 5-on-5.

Some of the schools of the children who are enrolled also participate with SOPA. “We do an interscholastic unified sports program where we take students with and without intellectual disabilities in the school, and they train and compete together,” explained Craven. “In Philadelphia, we offer both bocce and soccer.”

Bocce is an Italian game.

The basic principle of the sport is to roll a bocce ball closest to the target ball, which is called a pallino. As a Special Olympics sport, bocce provides people with special needs the opportunity to have social contacts, develop physically and to gain self-confidence.

Alfonso Pedulla, a coach of basketball and soccer for the South Philadelphia chapter, was instrumental in getting

SOPA in South Philadelphia.

“I’ve been trying to get Special Olympics down here for God knows how long,” he said. Originally located in the Northeast, he worked to with SOPA Sports Director Michelle Cordell to get this local chapter going. “We started out with like 12 kids; we’re up to about 20-25 kids now,” Pedulla said. We only started last year, so we’ve grown.”

When the program began in South Philadelphia last year, it was with six athletes in basketball. They had 13 by the end of last season. In August, they started soccer and volleyball. This year, they have about 28 athletes participating in

she does, pretty much. I think it’s more the social aspect of it that they need,” he said. Of the children and players he said, “They are pretty much friendly. Some of them go to school together, some don’t, so there’s a big social aspect.”

Pedulla continued, “Once they get together, they see each other, they interact with each other. It gives them self-confidence.”

After they appeared in their first competition last year, the coach raved about his players’ performance in the game and blew past his expectations. “It was great!” he said delightedly. “They actually excelled and won gold. It was our first time

A FAMILY affair all around as Coach Alfonso Pedulla, pictured with his daughter and athlete, Bianca Pedulla, and his wife, Josephine “Penny” Pedulla, a psychology manager with the program. All three of them are invested in the Special Olympics and enjoy being a part of it. Photo by Eldon Graham

basketball. This is the first year they are doing bowling.

Asked how he got involved, Pedulla simply replied, “my daughter. She’s been doing Special Olympics since she was about 5 years old.” His daughter is Bianca Pedulla, a 27-year-old on the autism spectrum. Bianca’s mother, Josephine “Penny” Pedulla, is also a part of the South Philadelphia program as a psychology manager.

In the beginning, Pedulla described his daughter’s adjustment to the program as “slow,” but beneficial for her.

“It doesn’t matter how well

and we were trying them out to see how they were doing.

They were actually a little bit better than teams they were paired with.”

In the summertime, athletes play warmer-weather sports such as soccer and volleyball, while the winter months are relegated to basketball and bowling.

Pedulla is not the only parent who believes in what SOPA has to offer. Denine Aversa, a mother with two sons in the program, said, “This is what the city needs, especially in South Philly.”

Aversa lives in New Jersey but is thankful that her children get to participate with individuals they can relate to in the city. Her two sons are Michael “Mikey” Caporale, a player with autism, and Gino Caporale, Jr., a coach diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, in which a person is generally considered to be on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum.

The families and athletes are a resource for each other, Aversa noted. Some of the participants have never picked up a basketball and find reassurance in adjusting to relatable individuals like themselves. She spoke fondly about how much of a community these children and their families form: “All their siblings come out to support them.

They meet for movies and socialize outside of the program.

They call themselves ‘the Wildcats.’”

“It’s a family affair,” Craven concurred wholeheartedly.

“The community rallies around them,” said Shari Adler, a behavioral specialist who brings her clients to the games. She commented, “There’s not a lot these kids have to look forward to and participate in; this is like the best thing ever.” The sport and related activities form an outlet for the participants.

Mark Moss, of South Philly Vikings fame, and another coach at SOPA, is currently battling kidney cancer and had one of his kidneys removed.

However, he still comes out to coach the athletes because he believes in them. In all that he’s going through, Moss says, “After spending time with these kids experiencing what they experience, I will never complain about a day in my life ever again.”

The SOPA South Philly program will play its first game of the year in the Montgomery County Basketball Invitational on April 1 at Montgomery County Community College.

Copyright @2017 City & State PA LLC

Union Made

right into their offices and even talked about politics.

With Congressman Tim Ryan from Ohio, we talked about sports and joked about how bad the Cleveland Browns were. With Congressman José Luis Correa from California, we talked about how the San Diego Chargers are now the Los Angeles Chargers and how his wife was really sad about that, but he could care less.

Next we went to the inaugural Freedom Ball, where I got to meet a lot of famous people and see more politicians in a different and relaxed atmosphere.

After a very long day, I was exhausted. But I would do it all over again, as this was an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.

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N NOVEMBER, if you asked me if I would go to see Donald Trump’s inauguration, I probably would’ve told you no way, mainly because I don’t support the beliefs he has and the controversial things he says.

However, my social science class with Mr. Horwits has taught me that you can learn a lot by being unbiased and seeing the other side. After a long and rigorous application process, I went with 24 of my classmates as student journalists to see the inauguration of Donald Trump. It was an eye-opening experience.

Coming from a school and a city where almost everyone is a liberal and Dem-

ocrat, it is almost frowned on to be a Republican or conservative. It was refreshing to be in a different atmosphere and talk to people who have conservative beliefs and support Donald Trump. When talking to the people at the inauguration about why they voted, they all gave similar responses, the most common being that they wanted a president who gave power to the people and were tired of being led by ineffective politicians. Trump hit these points in his speech and said he would give power to the common people.

After the inauguration, we visited the congressional offices. This was my favorite part of the day because of how downto-earth the members of Congress were. We walked

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BY KRISTIAN RHIM CENTRAL H.S. 276

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CENTRAL HS STUDENTS GO TO INAUGURATION

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SPECIAL ELECTIONS GETTING TO BE NORM

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That date is tentative, since Judge Evans must first rule on motions filed by Brown’s Scranton-based lawyer, Pat Casey, including one contending the Democratic legislator was a victim of entrapment and that prosecutors targeted her because of her party affiliation and race.

Candidates for special elections are selected by a process designated by their respective political parties, and the winner of the special election will take office after the results are certified.

Though the Public Record went to press before the Democratic ward leaders met, we learned the early favorite in the 197th was Noelia Díaz, a community leader and activist with over 10 years’ experience in the health care/continuing-retirement community, including skilled nursing, rehabilitation, personal care, memory support and independent living. Díaz is an organizer and planner for all types of functions and events, and has worked as a

POLS on the STREET

BY JOE SHAHEELI PECIAL ELECTIONS are becoming the norm for a Philadelphia electorate repeatedly called on to vote on filling seats that have become vacant before politicians’ terms expire.

The latest is the 197th Legislative Dist. in North Philadelphia, which will be held March 21 to fill

S

Representative

Vanessa Lowery Brown JA N UA RY 26, 2017

190th Legislative District

Contenders for 197th Legislative District Republican Lucinda Little

wDemocrat Noelia Diaz

the vacancy left by former State Rep. Leslie Acosta. It’s deemed to be a Democratic win, which is why the Democratic ward leaders making up the district wasted no time in meeting yesterday at Democratic City Committee at high noon to endorse a replacement. It has long been held by a Latino, since Latinos make up the bulk of the district.

State Rep.

William Keller 1435 N. 52nd St. Phila. PA 19131 (215) 879-6615

184th District 1531 S. 2nd Street

215-271-9190

Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), who orders special elections when necessary, may have to announce another one on Primary Day in May, should a vacancy occur in the 190th Dist., pending the outcome of the trial set for State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown (DW. Phila.).

Brown is the last of six legislators who took plea bargains after being charged with accepting bribes.

Brown refused such a plea agreement, so her trial has been scheduled for Feb. 13

by Dauphin County Court Judge Scott Evans.

State Rep. Jason

Pennsylvania Treasurer Joe Torsella is reducing the size of Treasury’s automobile fleet from 21 vehicles to 10. He will not use a dedicated state car and will end the practice of assigning state cars to individual Treasury staff. Wow, City Commissioner

Lisa M.

District Office: 4915 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (215) 744-7901 M. – Th.: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

F.: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Room 132 City Hall

Deeley Philadelphia PA 19107

215-686-3460

Councilman

Mark

Joanna E.

Squilla

McClinton 191st Leg. Dist.

6027 Ludlow St. Unit A Phila., PA 19139

1st District City Hall Room 332

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

215-686-3458/59

Donatucci D-185th District 2901 S. 19th St. Phila PA 19145 P: 215-468-1515 F: 215-952-1164

Councilman Wm.

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

Represintative

Angel Cruz

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

Boyle

198th District

310 W. Chelten Ave.

172nd Dist.

7420 Frankford Ave. Phila., PA 19136

Phila PA 19148

P: 215-849-6426

215-331-2600 State Rep.

John

Donna

(R) 177th Dist.

4725 Richmond St. Phila., PA 19137

195th Leg. Dist.

2835 W. Girard Ave Phila, PA 19130

215-744-2600

Rep.Maria P.

PHILLY GOP Ward Leader Vince Minniti shared a moment at one of President Donald Trump’s Inaugural Balls in Washington with Judge Jeanine Ferris Pirro of television fame.

Kevin J.

Youngblood

Taylor

MEETING JUDGE IN DC

State Rep.

Rep. Rosita

State Rep.

what a way to catch the eye of taxpayers hoping to avoid a state tax increase!

“As treasurer, I will closely scrutinize every expense that comes across my desk to ensure that it is used responsibly, and that begins with my own department,” said Torsella. “This policy will ensure that Treasury’s vehicles will only be used to serve the taxpayers who are paying for them. This new policy is just one way that I will honor the (Cont. Page 5)

TORSELLA TREASURY VEHICLE POOL

BY HALF

Dawkins

State Rep.

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volunteer for several elected officials in the city.

The Republican ward leaders are expected to endorse Lucinda Little, the 48-yearold wife of 42nd GOP Ward Leader Jeffrey Little. Married for 25 years, she said she has been active in politics “since I first met Jeffrey.” She feels the district has been changing and “the majority have not been served well by the last two representatives.” She is a clinical research director for SGM Division Research Consortium, based in Wayne.

Don’t consider State Senator Larry Farnese’s seat up for grabs. His is a case of Fed overreach. We wish him well.

Bullock T: (215) 684-3738 F: (215) 235-4629

City Councilwoman Cherelle L. Parker 9th District City Hall, Room 577, Philadelphia, PA 19107

215-686-3454 or 3455

www.phlcouncil.com/CherelleParker

Facebook: CouncilwomanCherelleLParker Twitter: @CherelleParker9

TRUMP IN TOWN, BUT...

When word went out President Donald Trump was coming to town today, Republican Party Chairman Joe DeFelice had to turn down dozens of inquiries from party stalwarts to see Trump at his meeting with Republican congressional members. The event was sponsored by a group called the Congressional Institute and was closed off to public and press. However, he did call for and supplied volunteer drivers to supply needed transportation.

Thinking in a bipartisan way, U.S. Senator Bob Casey says he hopes President Trump is sincere about keeping his word to invest in job creation and infrastructure, pointing to the Delaware River Bridge fracture as an example during a press conference at 30th Street Station.

Photo by Eldon Graham

FORMER Vice President Joe Biden attended a “Welcome Home” celebration in Wilmington’s Chase Center, where he was greeted by, L-R, 63rd Ward Leader Brian Eddis, Kiley Jo Schroder and Brian Stevenson of Local 98 IBEW.

POLL SAYS WE’RE ‘NERVOUS’

We ran a Pollfish pol which detailed why Trump would win while all other polls swore Clinton would be the victor.

Now, according to a flash poll conducted by Pollfish, despite overall feelings of anxiety and nervousness, many Americans think the economic situation won’t change much under Trump.

Interesting findings from the survey include: 1. The predominating mood is cautious hope.

Asked which adjectives best describe their post-inauguration mood, 29% of Americans said nervous/anxious, 29% said hopeful, and 18% said indifferent.

2. Almost half of Americans think the economy will improve under Trump. Forty-eight percent think the US economy will get better, compared to 36% who think it will fare worse and 16% who believe it will remain unchanged from Obama’s presidency.

3. One in three Americans feel less comfortable making a major purchase under Trump.

Only 14% of Americans feel more comfortable buying expensive items such as a house or car in the next year, while 56% of Americans feel neither more nor less comfortable and 30% of Americans feel less comfortable

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(Cont. From Page 4) commitment that I made at my swearing-in to remember that every dollar the commonwealth spends comes from the hard work of a Pennsylvania taxpayer.”

He will continue to use his personal vehicle. He will not seek reimbursement for mileage. The new policy is effective immediately.

Now we wonder what his next political move will be.

WELCOME HOME, VP!

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POLS on the STREET

The Women’s March in Washington last weekend was an eye-opener. Its organizers claim, and justly so, they set a crowd size record. This weekend, about 5,000 Philadelphians are expected to attend a March for Life gathering in the nation’s capital. Coverage has been lopsided with several weeks of promos of all sorts pushing the “anti-Trump” march. Now with little, if any coverage, this weekend’s event might get some scant coverage, even though a record turnout is predicted for this event as well.

making a big purchase.

4. Most Americans aren’t convinced by Trump’s anti-Big Pharma stance.

Despite Trump’s promises to reduce drug prices, 44% of Americans think prices will increase in the next few years. Only 26% of Americans think prices will decrease, while 30% believe they will remain unchanged from their current level.

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PLACE YOUR BETS ON CROWD SIZE

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DOMB PROVIDES HELP FOR TAX

MARY ARTHUR of Campaign for Working Families, 2nd from L, thanks Councilman Allan Domb, C, whose new Domb Center offers free tax assistance. Photo by Wendell Douglas

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ITY COUNCILMAN at Large Allan Domb has partnered with the Campaign for Working Families, Inc., to open the Domb Center, a new volunteer tax-assistance services site in Center City.

“This new center will serve as another available resource to Philadelphians who need assistance with income tax preparations,” said Domb. “I am proud to work with the Campaign for Working Families on our collective goal to improve and protect the financial well-being of all our citizens.”

The Campaign for Work-

ing Families operates 19 free tax service locations throughout Philadelphia, with the Domb Center serving as the Center City “super site.”

Mary Arthur, executive director of the Campaign for Working Families, officially opened the Domb Center and acknowledged the impact potential this accessible site may have on more than 4,000 residents.

“It is crucial for an organization such as the Campaign for Working Families to have the support of its city leaders,” said Arthur. “Councilman Domb has become a champion of our organization

and understands the benefits this valuable service can bring to the residents of Philadelphia. We thank the Councilman for his commitment to our shared mission.”

The Domb Center is located at 121 S. Broad Street, Suite 1001. It will open Mondays through Saturdays.

For more information about the Campaign for Working Families, Inc., additional resources or a list tax preparation sites, please visit: www.cwfphilly.org Information about the Earned Income Tax Credit is available at: www.youearneditphilly.com.

APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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Applications for Carpenter, Mill/Cabinetmaker, Millwright, Wharf & Dock Builder, Resilient Floor Layer, Lather and Drapery Worker apprenticeships will be accepted by the Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Committee on the following dates February 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, Saturday February 18, February 21, 22 and 23, 2017. Applications will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. only. The test day is Saturday, March 18, 2017. A non-refundable $35.00 administrative processing fee is required. Anyone interested must call 215-8242303 for further details.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS The Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship and Training Fund of Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties admits students of any race, color, religion, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan agreements, and any other school-administered programs. Information can be obtained by writing to the Carpenters JATC, 10401 Decatur Road, Phila., PA 19154, by calling 215-824-2303 or at our web site www.carpentersofphila.com.

icans, Lunar New Year is still very much a holiday for meeting up with the family and eating lots of food. However, traditional forms of ancestor worship are sometimes muddled.

Rather than sweeping the gravestones of deceased relatives and kowtowing to grandparents, the holi-

day has become more of a celebration of family and a greater Asian American identity.

In many ways, the American Lunar New Year is not much different from many other large holidays; we gather our friends and family, and then feed and entertain

them for hours on end.

However, traditions and customs have changed in the process. Sitting around a television and watching a Lunar New Year special has replaced lighting firecrackers.

Much like the way Christmas ecards are distributed en masse through the

click of a mouse, even the “traditional” bags or envelopes of money given to children can now be done through an app on one’s phone.

As with many holidays and traditions, details get worn away, but the essentials are continued on to the next generation.

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cakes are thinly sliced and cooked into a broth, called “Tteokguk” in Korea. Although consumed a little differently depending on locale and region (even within the same country), rice is an essential food for the New Year.

The Lunar New Year, sometimes referred to as the Spring Festival, is based on the lunar calendar, which, unlike the Gregorian calendars that we use on a daily basis, matches each date with the earth’s position relative to the moon, rather than the earth’s position in its orbit around the sun.

The Lunar New Year is usually celebrated on the second new moon after the winter solstice (hence the changing Lunar New Year dates every year), and was historically used by farmers to keep track of tilling and sowing. While in America we associate Jan. 1 with winter and freezing temperatures, farmers for millennia have defined their New Year as the start of spring and the growing season.

Not all of these events are transferable in a diaspora. In America, the descendants of many Asian immigrants are still celebrating the New Year in ways that are familiar but a little different from those of their predecessors. For many young Asian Amer-

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BY LAMEI ZHANG N JAN. 28, people around the world will be welcoming the Lunar New Year. Largely celebrated in East Asian countries, the Lunar New Year is one of the most festive times of the year. It is a time when families reconnect, children get New Year’s money, and food is served nonstop.

For countries such as China, Korea and Vietnam, the Lunar New Year is celebrated on multiple days, with each day having its own respective function.

For example, the first day is largely spent worshipping ancestors and visiting elders. Children are expected to wish their grandparents, aunts, or uncles a happy New Year, and in return, they receive money, most often in a traditional red bag or envelope.

Just like a turkey or ham for Thanksgiving, food plays a crucial part in celebrating the Lunar New Year. In China, Korea and Vietnam, varieties of rice cakes are made and eaten.

In Vietnam, glutinous rice, savory meat and beans are tightly wrapped into a bamboo leaf (called “Banh Chung”) and boiled for an extensive period of time. In eastern China, rice flour, wheat starch and sugar are mixed to make sticky cakes or “Nian Gao.” Long, cylinder-shaped rice

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HAPPY NEW YEAR, ASIAN STYLE, IN THE USA

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WOMEN MARCH FIFTY thousand people poured into the streets of Center City Saturday to march in support of women’s rights – including this girl, who put in a cameo appearance. Photo by Wendell Douglas

HOUSING LOW-INCOME ARTISTS CO U N C ILWO M AN Jannie Blackwell cut the ceremonial ribbon to open People’s Emergency Center’s 4040 Apartments yesterday, designed specifically for low-income artists and others. It will be operated by the Philadelphia Housing Authority.

In The United States District Court For The Eastern District of Pennsylvania Civil Action - Law No. 16-05168 Notice of Action in Enforced Collections United States of America, Plaintiff vs. wSonja Lands, Defendant To: Sonja Lands, Defendant, whose last known address is 1458 North 56th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19131.

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, United States of America, has filed an Enforced Collections Complaint endorsed with a notice to defend against you in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, docketed to No. 1605168, wherein Plaintiff seeks to enforce collections.

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, 215227-2400/215-981-3700. Phila. Bar Assn., One Reading Center, Phila., PA 19104, 215-238-6333. Thomas I. Puleo, Atty. for Plaintiff, KML Law Group, P.C., Ste. 5000, Mellon Independence Center, 701 Market St., Phila., PA 19106-1532, 215.627.1322.

MARK your CALENDAR Jan. 26- State Sen. Art Haywood hosts 60th Birthday Party at Ladder 15, 1528 Sansom St., 6-8 p.m. Tickets $50, advanced levels $500, $1,000, $2,000. For info: Dominque at (609) 784-4513 or dominque@pasenatedems.com.

Jan. 28- State Rep. Pam DeLissio hosts Town Hall Mtg. at Cathedral Ha. Audit., Cathedral Village, 600 E. Cathedral Rd., 10 a.m. Focus on changes due to new federal ad-

ministration.

Feb. 1- Friends of Vikki Kristiansson for Judge hosts Fundraiser at McGillin’s Olde Ale Ho., 1310 Drury St., 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Minimum contribution $25. RSVP: (215) 2510585 or melissa@rittenhousepolitical.com.

Feb. 2- State Rep. Angel Cruz hosts Police Dept.

Recruitment Drive at 3503 N. B St., Unit 7, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. For info: (215) 291-5643.

Feb. 2- Judicial candidate Dan Sulman hosts Campaign Kickoff Party at Pagano’s Market & Bar, 2001 Market St., 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Complimentary light fare.

Suggested Contribution levels $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000. Payable to “Committee to Elect Dan Sulman” mailed by Jan. 30 to 1500 Walnut St., Su. 2000, Phila., PA 19102 or at door. For info: ksugarman1@gmail.com or (215) 370-1423.

Feb. 2- Phila. Republican Party and House Speaker Mike Turzai host Winter Cocktail Party at Pyramid Club, 1735 Market St., 6-8 p.m. Sponsors $500.

RSVP: Annie Havey (215) 561-0651 by Feb. 1.

Feb. 3- Chapel of 4 Chaplains hosts Gala Awards Night at IATSE Ha., 2401 Swanson St. Tickets $100.

Feb. 4- Green Party of Phila. hosts Welcome Party for new members at William Way LGBT Comm.

Ctr., 1315 Spruce St., 1-3 p.m. Kristen Combs and Cheri Honkala speak. For info: (215) 843-4256.

Feb. 7- Judicial candidate Anthony Kyriakakis is hosted Campaign Kickoff Party at 1518 Bar & Grill, 1518 Sansom St., 5-7 p.m.

Special guest Ed Rendell. .

Feb. 10- Ward Leader Bobby Henon hosts 65th Ward Party at Maggie’s Waterfront Café, 9247 N. Delaware Ave., 6-9 p.m.

Tickets $40. Checks pay-

T HE S O U T H PHIL A D EL PHI A P UB L I C R E CO R D

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T IS NOT often we find ourselves sharing some viewpoints with the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce when it comes to its stance on governance in this city.

While we realize one of the roles of the chamber is to ensure the growth of its business community, we fully appreciate the role of City Council members to ensure their constituencies are not

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able to “Friends of the 65th Ward,” 9209 Torresdale Ave., Phila., PA 19114. For info: John Donohoe (267) 334-3775.

Feb. 10- S.W. Phila. Dist. Services & Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell present African American History Month at Kingsessing Rec Ctr., 50th & Chester Ave., 6-8:30 p.m.

Free dinner and admission.

For info: Marcus Sharp, coordinator (267) 237-4283; Mike Ross, president (484) 250-9055.

Feb. 13- Union League hosts Lincoln Day at 140 S. Broad St., Lincoln reads Gettysburg Address outside 12 m., Lunch 12:30 p.m., Parade to Independence Hall ceremony follows.

Feb. 13- Lt. Gov. Mike Stack & State Sen. Sharif Street attend Pathways to Pardons Opportunity Fair at Dobbins HS, 2150 W. Lehigh Ave., starting 5 p.m.

Feb. 15- 5th Ward Democratic Committee hosts Dinner Fundraiser for candidates at

Meatballs & More, 214 South St., 7 p.m. Candidates’ admission $100. Checks payable to “5th Ward Democratic Executive Committee.”

Feb. 17- 44th Ward Democratic Committee hosts Evening of Jazz & Petition Party at Danny Banquet Ha., 50th & Market Sts. Featuring Napoleon Black Redeemed & 61st St. Band. Tickets $150.

Checks payable to “Ward 44” RSVP: (215) 4294819 by Feb. 13.

Feb. 17- 33rd Ward Dem-

ocratic Committee hosts Sweetheart Dance Fundraiser at Juniata G.C., 1391 E. Cayuga St., 7-12 p.m. Parking, dancing, beer, wine, soda. Tickets $35, 2 for $60. For info: (215) 370-3689.

JA N UA RY 26, 2017

ATTENDING TO BUSINESS NEEDS

businesses is having a negative impact on job growth in Philadelphia. In addition, existing businesses located in the city will begin to look elsewhere as they plan for job growth.”

Organized labor, which has played a major role in supporting decent, family-sustaining jobs for union and nonunion employees alike, could easily find itself supporting some of the concerns expressed by GPCC, especially in is efforts to bring more jobs into the city.

We advocate that Council’s Legislative Oversight Committee conduct hearings designed to address the concerns of this city’s business, labor, and international communities as to some of the legislation it has churned into law.

We need this city to grow; and one sure way is to allow those who feel adversely impacted by these regulatory pieces of legislation to truly have more than one day to

For Further Listing See “Calendar” Online At www.phillyrecord.com

March 3, 2017 Jim Donnelly hosts the

58th Ward Democratic 45th Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Bash at Knowlton Mansion, 931 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111, from 7 PM to 11 PM. Special guest Lieutenant

Governor Mike Stack.

Tickets $50.00pp, food, drink, live music.

Candidates $100.00pp R.S.V.P. Jim Donnelly 610-360-5682 or Skip Montell 267-444-7945

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OPINION

run over in the process.

But according to the latest complaints from the Chamber, the legislative and executive branches of city government have crossed the lines of fairness in the continued passage of legislation designed to protect its citizenry from business tactics they deem unfair.

For instance, GPCC considers the mayor’s signing of legislation that is designed to improve wage equity another move that will hurt job growth and business expansion.

Chamber President and CEO Rob Wonderling says, “Philadelphia has a reputation around the country and world for having a high cost of doing business. With this bill, we have reinforced our unfortunate anti-business reputation of having a city government that tells companies how to run their business.

The cumulative effect of city ordinances restricting

JA N UA RY 26, 2017

T HE P UB L I C R E CO R D

10

BOYLE LAUNCHES BLUE COLLAR CAUCUS

BY TONY WEST BAND of Democratic members of Congress are seeking to restore the working-class brand to their party in the wake of the disappointing 2016 election results by reaching out to their onetime core constituency of blue-collar voters.

For generations, blue-collar voters – people who were not poor and held steady jobs, but did not aim to complete college – were the backbone of a Democratic Party that dominated national and state elections in most states. But their allegiance began to waver in the aftermath of the Civil Rights Era and the social upheavals of the 1970s.

Enough disaffected working-class voters abandoned Hillary Clinton in key states last November to throw the Electoral College to Republican Donald Trump.

To push the reset button on the future of the party, Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-Phila.), together with Congressman Marc Veasey (D-Tex.), launched

A

Congressman Brendan Boyle

to CNN’s election poll. But although most nonwhite Democratic blue-collar voters stayed loyal to the party, they, too, saw a falloff, drifting away from the Clinton ticket by about the same percentage. In 2016, this disaffection was the difference between winning and losing the White House.

The Blue Collar Caucus hopes to bring them back by concentrating on messages that unite working-class voters across racial lines. While Boyle’s 13th Dist. in Northeast Philadelphia and Montgomery County is largely white, Veasey’s 33rd Dist. in Fort Worth and Dallas

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“I AGREE DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT BEEN FOCUSING ON THE PROBLEMS OF BLUE-COLLAR AMERICANS,” the Blue Collar Caucus on Dec. 1. They began recruiting colleagues over the holiday season; Boyle estimates the group will number a couple of dozen by the end of January.

“We came back to Washington after New Year’s Day and sat down to plan out the events we want to be doing during the whole year,” Boyle said.

Nationwide, 67% of non-college-educated whites voted for Trump, according

is largely Hispanic while Veasey himself is Black.

In Pennsylvania, the damage to the Democratic Party was widespread, as Republicans took General Assembly seats in blue-collar parts of the state that had long dependably elected Democrats.

“I lost suburban Montgomery County when I ran for Congress in my first primary,” said Boyle. “But I won by putting together a coalition of blue-collar vot-

ers with low-income voters.

That unites people and focuses on their concerns.

“I agree Democrats have not been focusing on the problems of blue-collar Americans,” he continued.

There is a widespread malaise in their communities, he said, a feeling that the future is no longer theirs.

Boyle’s Pennsylvania colleague, Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna), who serves the 17th Dist. that reaches from Scranton to Bethlehem and Pottsville, is also on board the Blue Collar Caucus. He, too, is dissatisfied with what he sees as the party’s drift away from working-class lives.

“These are my people,” Cartwright said. “And they’re hurting. It isn’t working out so well for them. We fell down on the job in the presidential election, making them understand we were really standing up for their needs.”

Democrats have not lost disaffected blue-collar voters for good, Boyle insists.

He pointed out that Bernie Sanders also did well in the same communities where Trump scored big, especially in states with open primaries.

THE FADING OF A DREAM

But Trump’s victory gives the Blue Collar Caucus an exciting opportunity by putting the spotlight on this demographic and its problems. “These were issues that were getting very little attention in Washington and state capitals: the dramatic decline of well-paid industrial jobs and the consequent hopelessness, drug abuse and suicide,” Boyle said.

“The diseases of hopelessness seem primarily economic issues. But they go to the heart of the American Dream. Blue-collar

workers are still working as hard as their parents but they’re not doing as well,” he noted. “Look at the World War II generation: 92% of blue-collar people earned more than their parents. Today that number has fallen to 40%. Average household income has been stagnant for over two decades.”

Wage growth must be put on the front burner, Boyle stated. “We’re talking now about raising the minimum wage by 100%; it’s a disgrace that it’s been frozen for so long. But we can’t just make that our entire policy.

What about others who are above the minimum wage but whose wages are stuck?”

Economic advancement is increasingly tied to academic advancement. But with college costs higher than many workers’ annual pay and climbing, the path upward for their children looks steep and rocky.

The Blue Collar Caucus hopes to find common ground with Trump in several areas where he appears to be at odds with typical Republican conservatives.

“Don’t come out of the gate attacking Donald Trump,” Cartwright advised. “People were looking for a big change and he offered it. He may not come through, but give him a chance.”

Instead, the caucus aims to keep a scorecard of Trump’s campaign promises that jibe with traditional working-class Democratic goals: preserving Social Security and Medicare, striking trade deals that safeguard American workers, and boosting public investments in infrastructure. They will back him if he delivers, and will hold his feet to the fire if he doesn’t.

In the process, the caucus may be able to drive a wedge between the Republican

Congressman Matt Cartwright

congressional majority and their president.

“House Speaker Paul Ryan’s plan is to abolish the Affordable Care Act by privatizing health care through vouchers,” Boyle said. “But ‘affordable care’ is blue-collar care. The beneficiaries of the ACA are overwhelmingly working-class. These citizens will not be helped by its repeal.”

Boyle predicts that now the context of campaigning is over and Republicans must craft actual policy, facts on the ground will put them in a bind.

Some of Trump’s foreign-policy leanings may not endear him either to

ereignty. They don’t want to see democracy succeed.

I think my blue-collar constituents are with me all the way on this one.”

TALKING 2017 TACTICS The first move by the Blue Collar Caucus is to schedule regular “Special Orders.” These are events staged on the floor of the House of Representatives after that body has officially adjourned. The chamber usually empties but the cameras keep rolling as a caucus of like-minded representatives takes turns speaking, for up to four hours most nights. This particular caucus is booked for one hour.

In effect, this creates a “BCC Show” series. In these Special Orders, caucus members will hone Democratic messages targeted to their blue-collar base.

Then they’ll take their show on the road. Boyle, their co-chair, reports they are already planning a tour of Texas, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

They’ll look for venues

“PEOPLE WERE LOOKING FOR A BIG CHANGE AND HE OFFERED IT. HE MAY NOT COME THROUGH, BUT GIVE HIM A CHANCE.” working-class citizens or congressional Republicans, however. Cartwright, pointing to politically motivated hacking by Russia and other oversea rivals of the USA, said his GOP colleagues are “jittery” about these developments after confidential briefings by the intelligence community.

“Right now, we are at cyber war,” said Cartwright. “Enemies are attacking America’s democracy and sov-

where they can connect with grassroots working people to reconnect with voters whom Hillary lost, but whom other Democrats can win.

It’s important not just to pitch working-class people, but to listen to them and talk with them first, both congressmen stressed.

“I’ll keep on doing what I’m doing,” Cartwright said.

“I enjoy town halls. They know I’m not pulling any punches.”

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

BY DENISE CLAY RAVELING and I no longer have the relationship we used to.

Sure, I have no problem packing a bag, grabbing the laptop and otherwise getting my act together to take it on the road. But it gets tougher the older you get. You’re not in your own bed. You don’t have access to everything you take for granted.

It can make you a little cranky.

So when I landed in Washington, D.C. last Thursday for Donald Trump’s inauguration, I assumed the same of the

T

H

IGHLY COMMENDABLE is the best way to term actions by Immaculata, Rosemont, and LaSalle colleges with their 23% lowering of tuition. Some relief is on the way to parents struggling to help with tuition, or students paying back student loans over decades. It is time for PENN and TEMPLE to show sincerity and caring by doing the very same!

A great story of the 1948 Democratic Convention was in a Germantown newspaper.

The Philadelphia convention

CITY HALL SAM

A

LL THE NEW row officers got sworn in last week. The three Democrats held uniquely different ceremonies all over the Harrisburg area.

EUGENE DePASQUALE, the auditor general, held his event in a small room in a state office building. He noted he wanted the event to be intimate in deference to the new electees JOE TORSELLA as treasurer and JOSH SHAPIRO as attorney general. Nonetheless, DePasquale’s event drew GOV. TOM WOLF, LT. GOV. MIKE STACK and Scranton CON-

Something like a TASK 11 FORCE. A DA candidate with compassion for this is Teresa Carr DENI. Community organizer and DEM Committeewoman Kathy HUGGINS is recovering in an Atlanta Hospital. Recover Kathy, you are needed in Philly!

How about the passing of civil-rights great Augustus (Gus) BAXTER! He knew how to get the task done.

I received a letter from Miami, where former State Rep. Marie LEDERER is wintering after a fall. The Lederer family made their mark in Congress, the state Legislature and in the courts. Her late husband, Judge William LEDERER, had an incredible mind.

When I was summoned to his chambers and had to wait 10 minutes, I got to watch him work, my jaw agape. On the military side, I got to fly on several aircraft with Marie and other lawmakers to watch their (Cont. Page 13) not actual education policy.

But it should be everybody’s priority.

Wolf and Stack once again joined Cartwright at the Torsella swearing-in.

Federal JUDGE MIDGE RENDELL swore him in.

Also on hand was former CONGRESSMAN and now lobbyist BOB BORSKI and Joe Powers, former chief of staff to LT. GOV. MARK SINGEL. Powers now teaches American government at St. Joe’s University. STATE REP. MIKE DRISCOLL was also on hand.

Torsella hosted a party at the upscale Rubicon across the street from the Capitol. A number of Northeast Philadelphia ward leaders attended the event, including BILL DOLBOW, HARRY ENGGASSER, BOB DELLAVELLA and DAN MUROFF. Well-known labor leader GARY MASINO made a special guest appearance at the White House. He was (Cont. Page 14) T HE P UB L I C R E CO R D

WALKING the BEAT

nominated Harry TRUMAN for president, and took place in the old (since demolished) Convention Hall. It was hot and steamy inside, but a 17-year-old wanted to get in, and had no credentials. He went into a bar to watch it on TV. A Minnesota delegate there lent him credentials, and Hal ROSENTHAL caucused with that delegation – including Minneapolis Mayor Hubert HUMPHREY. They saved the Truman nomination with a “Loyalty Oath” to all delegates, and were successful in passing their civil-rights plank. To date, the 87-year-old Rosenthal has not found the Minnesotan to return those credentials.

Prison reform is still building; many of you have read about Project FRESH START. We need more of this and need inmates returning to our world to be taxpayers, not recidivists.

This means cooperation between the prisons, 1st Judicial District, DA’s Office, Mayor and Defenders.

GRESSMAN MATT CARTWRIGHT. Also on hand was state Democratic CHAIR MARCEL GROEN and STATE REPS. EDDIE DAY PASHINSKI of Wilkes-Barre and BILL KORTZ of Allegheny County.

JOSH SHAPIRO held his event at the Whitaker Center. On hand were Montgomery County COMMISSIONER VALERIE ARKOOSH; former acting ATTORNEY GENERAL BRUCE BEAMER; former Republican STATE REP. MIKE VEREB; and STATE REPS. DAN FRANKEL, GENE DiGIROLAMO and MADELEINE DEAN. JOE TORSELLA held his event at an elementary school on the outskirts of Harrisburg. A number of 5th- and 6th-graders attended the event, which was an important backdrop for Torsella’s priorities. Education is very important; however, the treasurer can only be involved in issuing bonds and other financial functioning,

JA N UA RY 26, 2017

L

AST FRIDAY, DONALD TRUMP was sworn in as president of the United States.

There were large crowds on the Mall in front of the west steps of the US Capitol Building for the event.

The people with sitting or standing-room tickets were allowed to enter the secured areas as early as 6 a.m.

It appears the organizers gave out more tickets than available space, as when I arrived at 10:30, I could not get into the secured area, along with hundreds of other ticket-holders who were

its dislike. Maybe Schumer, a New Yorker, felt at home with the Bronx cheers.

Trump’s speech was a little surprising in a good way and a not-so-good way.

His talk was an appropriate length, given that hundreds of thousands had been standing in the cold rain for hours. I was hoping more for a “unite the country and more forward” speech.

Among the first groups to march in the inaugural parade was Philadelphia’s First City Troup. It is the oldest military unit in the US still in service.

Philadelphia law firm Duane Morris had a reception at its DC office, which is on the parade route.

Trump’s Pennsylvania campaign manager, TED CHRISTIAN, is with the firm’s government affairs group, as is former Montgomery County COMMISSIONER TOM ELLIS. I was at the Freedom Ball, which I understand had (Cont. Page 13) So, in the words of Eminem, “Stan, why you so mad?!”

In a way, I can see it.

Your guy came into the office with the lowest approval rating of any president on Inauguration Day. People keep reminding him (and you) that he not only didn’t win the popular vote, but he got smoked.

Add to this that no one really showed up to the inauguration itself, including a civil-rights icon who used his perception of your guy’s illegitimacy as his reasoning, and you get a recipe for anger, I guess.

But I have a different inaugural memory to compare them with.

Eight years ago, I got off the train at Union Station to cover President Barack Obama’s first inauguration. I had to pack, get on the train, arrange stuff at my job to allow me to have the time off, and rush from work to the train to make sure I got there on time.

(Cont. Page 14)

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ELEPHANT CORNER

standing outside the official audience area.

I do know of a few people from the Philadelphia area who obtained tickets from CONGRESSMAN DWIGHT EVANS’ office, but I had assumed that since many Democrats like Evans were boycotting the event, their respective allocation of tickets in large part would remain unused.

It did not look so. And no, I am not claiming the audience was as large as those for Obama’s inaugurations.

US SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS swore in President Trump at the dot of noon.

There were a number of speeches, including an inappropriately long and somewhat contentious one by SENATE MINORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER. I did not hear all of Schumer’s comments, because after one of his more contentious statements, the crowd expressed grim-faced folks wearing “Make America Great Again” hats that met me at Union Station. Many of them had come from places farther away from Philadelphia. They had probably been traveling by train or bus for hours. I get it.

But once I started walking around the city, first to go to the Russell Office Building to get my press credential and later to grab a cup of coffee and something to eat, I started noticing something about the folks who were in Washington to celebrate the Trump Inauguration.

They were mad. Real mad. Like “eight years of having that N-word in the White House” mad. That I didn’t get.

Your guy just won the White House. You have the Senate and the House of Representatives. You have the ability to do whatever you want for at least the next two years, despite close to 3 million more folks preferring the other person.

NEW ETHICS RULES GOVERN HOUSE MEMBERS, STAFF

T HE P UB L I C R E CO R D

12

OPINION

BY STATE REP. SCOTT PETRI (R-BUCKS),

F

OLLOWING the Jan. 3 swearing-in ceremony that marked the official start of the 2017-18 legislative session, the House approved

an overhaul of its ethics rules that will govern lawmakers and staffers in the new term and for years to come. The changes represent the best ethical practices in state legislatures in all 50 states and were drafted under my leadership of the House Ethics Committee last session.

The new rules clarify and strengthen the House Ethical Conduct Rules and the rules and the role of the House Ethics Committee, which is charged with addressing matters involving conflicts of interest or job-related misconduct by House members and staff.

At a public meeting in

November 2016, the committee voted (8-0) to adopt the rule changes. The committee’s unanimous recommendations provide a clearer path to adjudicating issues that come before it.

Among other changes, the committee identified the standard of review to be used for complaints that come before it, clearly defined the role of independent counsel and adopted specific sanctions that may be imposed for violation of the rules.

We rewrote the rules, providing substantive and procedural changes aimed at preserving and protect-

ing the integrity of this great institution and the interests of the taxpaying citizens whom we serve. I was pleased to chair the committee of members who worked together in the interest of the institution and not in a partisan manner.

To prevent the committee from being used to target political challengers prior to an election as has occurred in the past the rules prohibit the initiation of complaints against any member within 60 days of an election in which the member is a candidate.

Any complaint received in this period could be held for consideration after the election.

The rules clarify that the committee’s existence

ends when the General Assembly adjourns at the conclusion of each legislative session. Any work still pending ceases and is taken up by the newly appointed committee in the next session.

Other noteworthy changes provide the committee with clarification on when it is permitted or required to hire independent counsel; when it is authorized to issue and enforce subpoenas; the timeframe in which the committee is required to act; the committee’s authority to sanction members and House employees and to define potential sanctions; and the committee’s authority to defer cases to prosecutorial entities investigating the

JA N UA RY 26, 2017

MAZZONI GRANT

same or similar conduct as that before the committee.

Jurisdiction over a complaint is allowed for five years after the alleged conduct against former House members or employees unless required by the Legislative Code of Ethics.

If the conduct alleged is proved by clear and convincing evidence, the committee is specifically authorized to recommend to the House a reprimand, censure, expulsion, or the denial or limitation of any right, power or privilege granted by the House rules and not contrary to the Pennsylvania Constitution.

The new rules, which passed the House by a wide bipartisan vote on Jan. 3, are now in effect.

L-R, STATE REP. Brian Sims, State Sen. Larry Farnese, State Rep. Maria Donatucci and Councilman Bill Greenlee showed their support of the LGBT community and the Mazzoni Center’s soon-to-be expansion.

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Photo by Bill Myers

L-R, COUNCILMEN David Oh and Bill Greenlee; State Sens.

Anthony Williams and Larry Farnese; Elisabeth Flynn, senior communications manager; State Reps. Brian Sims and Maria Donatucci; and Councilman Mark Squilla were all present for the announcement of the state’s giving $1.5 million to expand the Mazzoni Center in Hawthorne.

Photo by Bill Myers

the WAFFLE MAN

Y

O! THIS is for all my Italian friends, and a few friends who are not Italian – enjoy! Here are some observations on being Italian (Eye-Talian) and some gleaned from the internet. You know you’re Italian when: You can bench press 225 pounds, shave twice a day and still cry when your mother yells at you. You carry your lunch in a plastic shopping bag because you can’t fit two cappicola sandwiches, an orange, a banana and six pizzelles into a regular-size lunch bag. Your mechanic, plumber, elec-

WALKING (Cont. From Page 11) constituents serve their country. God Bless the tireless MARIE! BIKE LANES in PHILLY get a lot of media coverage.

There are a scant few bike riders in relation to the population and auto drivers.

But they are millennial and very VOCAL. (Many report-

ers today are millennial and relate to bikes.) POLS stay away from provoking any vocal outrage by bike riders.

Auto drivers share the road, but dislike when a biker runs a red light or stop sign.

How about wearing dark clothing at night on an unlighted bike? Or approaching on the driver’s blind side? Or riding the wrong

way on a one-way street? 13 There is NO enforcement of the Councilman Mark SQUILLA bike law; how can cops ticket a bike? And some riders have no ID – or maybe only a Visa or Green Card. WARNING: Some kids have a new maneuver trick: a SUDDEN turn toward you in front of the car, and then back again.

NOTICE

T HE S O U T H PHIL A D L EPHI A P UB L I C R E CO R D

CHARLIE GEROW. Attendees at the Liberty Ball, held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, included RCC CHAIRMAN JOE DEFELICE, ROSE MCCONOMY DEFELICE, RCC DEPUTY DIR. ANNIE HAVEY, PATTY MCKENNA VOGLER and WARD LEADER CHRIS VOGLER (35th).

To whom it may concern: Notice is hereby given that the City Commissioners, sitting as the County Board of Elections, will begin their weekly meetings Concerning the May 16, 2017 Municipal Primary and Special Election on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. in The City Commissioners 6th Fl. Hearing Room Riverview Place, Columbus Blvd. & Spring Garden Sts. Meetings will continue every Wednesday thereafter until Further notice.

AVISO

JA N UA RY 26, 2017

(Cont. From Page 11) over 10,000 people over the night. Among the Philadelphians I saw and spoke with: Republican City Committee DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL LINDA KERNS, RCC Fundraising CHAIRMAN BILL PETTIGREW with his daughters NICOLE and KRISTEN, Republican activist VINCE MINNITI and former Jury COMMISSIONER TIM O’BRIEN, as well as WARD LEADERS

CALVIN TUCKER (22nd), MATT WOLFE (27th), LINWOOD HOLLAND (35th) and DENISE FUREY (46th).

Other prominent Pennsylvanians I had the pleasure of seeing included CONGRESSMAN TOM MARINO, former LT. GOV. JIM & SUZANNE CAWLEY, TOM ELLIS, State Committee Central Caucus CHAIRMAN DICK STEWART and State Committee member NANCY DIESEL, as well as Harrisburg political commentator and strategist trician, accountant, travel agent and lawyer are all your cousins. You have at least five cousins living in the same neighborhood or on the same block. At least two of these cousins are named after your grandfather or grandmother.

You are on a first-name basis with at least three banquet-hall owners. You only get one good shave from a disposable razor. There were 28 people in your bridal party. You netted more than $10,000 on your first communion.

And you really, really know you’re Italian when: Your grandfather had a fig tree.

You eat Sunday dinner at two in afternoon. Christmas Eve – only fish. Your mom’s meatballs are the best. You’ve been hit with a wooden spoon or had a shoe or slipper thrown at you. You have clear plastic slipcovers on the living-room furniture.

Being Italian, I know that most of this is true.

Think not? Ask your Italian friends.

A Quien Corresponda: Se avisa que Los Comisionados de la Ciudad en sus funciones como la Junta Electoral del Condado, comenzaran sus reuniones semanales con respecto al 16 de Mayo de 2017 Elecciones Primarias Municipal y Elección Especial el miércoles 1 de Febrero 2017 a las 11:00 A.M. en el 6º piso de Riverview Place en la sala de audiencia de los Comisionados, Columbus Blvd. & Spring Garden Sts. Reuniones continuaran cada miércoles adelantes hasta nuevo aviso.

Anthony Clark Chair, City Commissioners Presidente, Comisionados Municipales

Lisa M Deeley City Commissioner Comisionada Municipal

Al Schmidt Vice Chair, City Commissioners Vicepresidente, Comisionados Municipales

Kevin A Kelly Acting Supervisor of Elections Supervisor Interino de Elecciones

www.philadelphiavotes.com

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ELEPHANT CORNER

T HE P UB L I C R E CO R D

14

CITY HALL SAM

(Cont. From Page 11) seated next to DONALD TRUMP as Trump an-

nounced he had pulled the United States out of the Trans-Pacific trade agreement. Trump claimed that now labor would be going back to work and benefiting

from millions of new jobs.

Masino is the head of Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 in Philadelphia and a staunch Democrat who worked to defeat Trump. It was interesting to note that Masino was seen by the president as important enough to have at his right hand.

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JA N UA RY 26, 2017

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

United States District Court For Eastern District of Pennsylvania Civil Action - Law No. 16-05907 Notice of Action in Enforced Collections United States of America, Plaintiff vs. George W. Felts, Jr. a/k/a George W. Felts, II, Defendant To: George W. Felts, Jr. a/k/a George W. Felts, II, Defendant, whose last known address is 1108 West Master Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122. 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, United States of America, has filed a Complaint endorsed with a notice to defend against you in the United States District Court for Eastern District of Pennsylvania, docketed to No. 16-05907 wherein Plaintiff seeks to enforce collections. 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, 215-227-2400/215-981-3700. Phila. Bar Assn., One Reading Center, Phila., PA 19104, 215-238-6333.

Rebecca A. Solarz, Atty. for Plaintiff, KML Law Group, P.C., Ste. 5000, Mellon Independence Center, 701 Market St., Phila., PA 19106-1532, 215.627.1322.

(Cont. From Page 11) The station was teeming with people, all looking for a way to get to their hotels, get their Inauguration tickets, or even to get something to eat. They were probably tired. They had probably been on the road for hours, if not a couple of days.

But they weren’t mad. At all. In fact, some of these folks were so overjoyed that they didn’t mind that it was freezing cold, and that they’d have to be out at the crack of dawn to see something that many of them thought they’d never see.

Like the anger from last weekend, it was a joy you could feel.

The main reason that I wanted to cover the Trump Inauguration was because for me it represented the closing of the loop that was covering the Obama Administration. I was there for the beginning, so I figured that I should be there for the end.

I just wish that it wasn’t so unhappy – for the winners as well as the losers.

JOIN OUR

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charge often isn’t the answer to getting a fresh start after bankruptcy.

It is a first step, though.

About 60-90 days after you receive that Order of Discharge, you should call the number provided on the www.annualcreditreport.com site and order your credit reports.

Consumers are entitled to a free credit report every year or when a negative decision is made by a creditor relying on a credit report. There are three main reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. If you are married and filed a joint bankruptcy, each of the spouses must request their own reports.

If you ever had a problem with a checking account or overdrafts, you should get additional credit reports from Telecheck, Early Warning Services, and Chexsystem. These are the agencies that banks and credit unions rely on when the bank or credit union is making a decision about whether you can open an account with them. These agencies are not part of the www. annualcreditreport.com site so you will need to go to each of the sites to request a report.

So you are now up to six different reports.

The formats of these reports are somewhat

similar. First will be the public-records section, where any court case may be listed. Next, the report may list all the creditors. The report may separate out the debt collectors from original creditors.

If any of your creditors is still listing a balance, then the next step is for you to dispute the report of that creditor.

The Federal Trade Commission offers a sample letter to consumers who need to dispute. I usually advise my clients to send a copy of the letter to the creditor who is reporting inaccurate information.

When a consumer

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disputes something on a credit report, the agency must investigate the dispute. The creditor can either verify the accuracy, update or remove the information. The credit reporting

agency has deadlines for their response to go back to the consumer.

Next Week’s Question: Why did rapper DMX file bankruptcy?

In The Court of Common Pleas Phila. County Civil Action – Law No. 161002807 Notice of Action in Mortgage Foreclosure Nationstar Mortgage LLC d/b/a Champion Mortgage Company, Plaintiff vs. The Unknown Heirs of Dorothy Carter Deceased, Beverly Carter, Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Dorothy Carter, Deceased, Wanda Johnson, Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Dorothy Carter Deceased, Freddie Carter, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Dorothy Carter Deceased, Leslie Carter, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Dorothy Carter, Deceased & Marvin Carter, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Dorothy Carter, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendants To: The Unknown Heirs of Dorothy Carter, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s), whose last known address is 5633 Rodman Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143. 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, Nationstar Mortgage LLC d/b/a Champion Mortgage Company, 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. 161002807, wherein Plaintiff seeks to foreclose on the mortgage secured on your property located, 5633 Rodman Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143, 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, 215-227-2400/215-981-3700. Phila. Bar Assn., One Reading Center, Phila., PA 19104, 215-238-6333.

Rebecca A. Solarz, Atty. for Plaintiff, KML Law Group, P.C., Ste. 5000, Mellon Independence Center, 701 Market St., Phila., PA 19106-1532, 215.627.1322.

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