PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | DECEMBER 9 - 16, 2021

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2021

m he ey t ve g th get i G in or h f et n’t m o so w

Gift Guide

The silence is deafening following the Dougherty/Henon convictions. | Page 18

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CRIMEBEAT

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HOLIDAY SCAMS Feds warn of hazardous counterfeit items

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he man bought a “knockoff” of a popular electronic game from an Internet website for half the price of the genuine item. He was pleased that he had discovered such a bargain. When the game arrived, the man unwrapped it and plugged it in. The game exploded, knocking the man to the floor, and a fire began. The fire spread quickly throughout the house, destroying all of his belongings, including the Christmas gifts under the tree.

The counterfeit game turned out to be not much of a bargain after all.

Scenarios like this are why the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has developed an online holiday shopping toolkit at ice.gov/topics/holiday-shopper to help consumers protect themselves from substandard or even hazardous counterfeit toys, electronics, cosmetics and other products.

ICE’s advisory offers holiday shopping tips from the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center. The IPR Center, which directs the federal government’s response to combat global intellectual property theft, and enforces intellectual property rights violations, has partnered with ICE, the FBI and other federal agencies to combat counterfeit products and inform the public of the dangers of them.

“For most, the holidays represent a season of goodwill and giving, but for criminals, it’s

DECEMBER 9 - 16, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

the season to lure in unsuspecting holiday scammer’s next victim.”

The IPR Center recommends that conshoppers,” said IPR Center Director Matt Alsumers purchase goods only from reputable len. “One of the key principles of crime preretailers. Read product reviews on websites vention is education, and this holiday guide and research companies you aren’t familiar ensures consumers are equipped with advice with. Check seller reviews and verify there is from experts on how to protect their personal a working phone number and address for the financial data and avoid buying gifts that can seller, in case you have questions about the be harmful to their loved ones.” legitimacy of a product. If a deal Counterfeit goods not only cheat seems too good to be true, it probthe consumer with substandard ably is. Don’t buy expensive items and potentially hazardous prodfrom third party websites. ucts, the feds note, but the websites Fake products, in addition to also put shoppers at risk of having posing real dangers to the public’s their personal and financial data safety and health, also hurt the stolen for other nefarious purposcountry’s economy. es. Online shopping is particularly Fake products cost Americans vulnerable to scams that trick the their jobs, threaten consumer user into buying counterfeit and health and safety, and fund crimpirated goods. inal activity. The feds state that, “Criminals don’t take the holievery year, they seize millions of days off, so it’s important for concounterfeit goods from countries sumers to be aware of ways they around the world, worth billions can protect themselves this busy of dollars. Between October 2020, season,” said Acting Deputy Asand July 2021, the feds made 22,849 sistant Director Carlton Peeples of seizures worth $2.5 billion. Billions the FBI’s Criminal Investigative DiPAULDAVISONCRIME.COM more were lost to legitimate busivision. “The FBI collaborates with nesses and the profits from counour law enforcement and private sector partners at the IPR Center year-round terfeit products went to criminals and crimito combat the sale of counterfeit goods, which nal organizations.

Some of the most dangerous counterfeit threaten public health and safety and impose products involve automotive parts, electronhigh costs to the U.S. economy. Everyone can help identify and thwart counterfeiters, and ics, safety equipment, prescription drugs, and this year, we encourage the public to use our cosmetics due to the potential threats they present to public safety and public health. holiday shopping toolkit to avoid becoming a

PAUL DAVIS

Counterfeit airbags and their components can cause severe malfunctions ranging from non-deployment, under inflation, and over inflation to explosion of metal shrapnel during deployment in a crash.

Counterfeit lithium-ion laptop batteries pose significant risk of extreme heat, self-igniting, and exploding. Counterfeit helmets and baby carriers can break. Counterfeit prescription drugs may not contain the active ingredient or could lead to accidental overdose.

Counterfeit cosmetics can cause severe skin reactions.

The feds advise consumers that counterfeit goods usually bear the trademark of a legitimate and trusted brand, but they were not made to the specifications of the original manufacturer.

They’re often produced illegally and sold at a profit to fund other criminal activities. This makes the production and trafficking of counterfeit goods a transnational crime, commonly linked to transnational criminal organizations.

“Law enforcement has identified a trend of counterfeited products that is growing at an alarming rate,” said Steve Francis, Assistant Director for HSI’s Global Trade Investigations Division and Director of the IPR Center. “At best, these products will not perform as well as authentic products. At worst, they can fail catastrophically.”

Paul Davis’ Crime Beat column appears here each week. He can be reached via pauldavisoncrime.com.

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FROM THE EDITOR

Crime and punishment

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warrant was issued for Williams’s arrest. He ublic views on crime and punishturned himself in and this time, at least, the ment swing like a pendulum from judge decided not to let him out. extreme justice on one side to exJane Roh, a spokesperson for Krasner’s treme mercy on the other. Like office, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that the many things these days, the swings July carjacking incident “remains under acare coming faster than ever. Maybe tive investigation, and our office continues we’re learning our lessons sooner than we used to, but many are things we to pursue accountability for that crime.” But promises of future investigations do not make should have learned long ago.

Whatever the reason, it should be clear by up for laxity in enforcing the law in the first now that the brief swing of the last decade place.

And the next time Krasner or Mayor Jim toward less incarceration, shorter sentences, Kenney calls for more restrictions on gun and a general softening on crime is over.

There were plenty of factors that led to ownership, Philadelphians should ask why they routinely let people charged with violatthe end of the decades-long decline in violent ing the existing laws walk, as they crime, plenty of fodder for the disdid in this case. sertations of future sociology stuPeople have a hard time learning dents. But one in particular should from the past. When crime spiraled be clearly in the crosshairs of pubout of control in the 1960s and 1970s, lic opinion: the 2020 campaign to politicians eventually wised up reduce or eliminate cash bail for ofand strengthened the laws that had fenders accused of violent crimes. been softened a few decades earliAs recent events have shown here er. Crime dropped and continued to in Philadelphia, this policy has drop for years to come. been a disaster and has led directly Did they go too far at times? Certo further crimes – including murtainly. California’s “three strikes” der – that could have been preventlaw was a good idea for keeping ed. repeat offenders behind bars, but Earlier this year, Latif Williams prosecutors stretched it to its limwas arrested and charged with five its, jailing people for minor crimes felonies including carjacking and under laws meant to prevent major illegal possession of a firearm. His @KYLESAMMIN ones. bail was originally set at $200,000 Instead of moderately rewriting but, showing once again the quality of Philadelphia’s elected judiciary, Municipal the law to avoid abuses like that, over the past Court Judge Joffie C. Pittman III reduced that few years we have undone large parts of the criminal justice system wholesale. Worse still, figure to zero. Nothing! Williams was given much of the change has not come through house arrest and unsecured bail – which is no bail at all (he would need to pay if he violated legislatures changing the laws, but through prosecutors declining to enforce them – refusthe already lenient terms of his release).

So a judge thinks that people credibly ing to do their jobs.

When we can’t (or won’t) learn from the charged with violent crimes should be allowed to go home as long as they pinky-swear past, we must be doomed to repeat it. There that they won’t be bad anymore. That’s bad is a balance to be struck in being “tough on enough, but a month later, District Attorney crime,” but that balance must be weighed in favor of the safety of ordinary, law-abiding Larry Krasner’s office couldn’t even manage to get witnesses to show up at Williams’s citizens. We can be reasonable in our laws preliminary hearing, so they withdrew the without being overly lenient. That is a judgment call for our elected officials that has no charges. Between weak judges and inept proseasy answer. ecutors, Philly’s justice system managed to reBut those decisions ought to come through lease a violent accused criminal back onto the streets. It didn’t have to happen: each of these the people’s representatives, not through judges who won’t judge and prosecutors who failures was a deliberate choice. won’t prosecute. Those entrusted with the The result was a horrific murder. On Sunenforcement of our laws have instead opted day, November 28, Samuel Collington, a sefor lawlessness. Every crime committed by a nior at Temple University, was gunned down repeat offender shows the dangerous folly of in broad daylight in an attempted carjacking. that choice.

After reviewing video and forensic evidence, a

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STATE OF OUR CITY

STATE

EAST MARKET HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

CITY

A TIME FOR JOY AT READING TERMINAL MARKET

Image | In Between Rivers

Image | Courtesy of Reading Terminal Market

Philadelphia’s East Market development (located at 11th and Ludlow) is decked out this holiday season with a massive tree plus décor galore. Each Thursday, Friday and Saturday to Dec. 25, East Market will be even more spirited, showcasing a holiday light show and live music, and each Thursday and Saturday will feature super seasonal food and beverage offerings courtesy of popular American brasserie The Wayward. For details on the food and beverage offerings, visit thewayward.com.

OF OUR

Reading Terminal Market is kicking off the winter holidays with a building-wide display of seasonal cheer. A Time for Joy, a holiday celebration, includes a spectacular holiday décor display featuring a life-sized gingerbread house, Santa’s throne, and giant snowflakes and ornaments. Running through Dec. 31, A Time for Joy will feature “Thoughtful Thursdays” in partnership with local nonprofits, free chef demonstrations every Friday, live entertainment for “Jingle Mingle Sundays,” pop up craft vendors, a special visit from Santa Claus and one of SEPTA’s Festibuses, and a Kwanzaa Celebration. For more info, visit readingterminalmarket.org

Burke to Buckley Program Want to learn about conservative principles? The goals of the Burke to Buckley program are to impart a deeper understanding of the foundations of conservative thought and to build a network of talented, like-minded individuals. Each year, the National Review Institute is joined online and in key metropolitan areas, including Philadelphia, by people seeking to learn more about conservative principles. The ideal candidate is a mid-career professional (ages 35 to 50, typically) who works outside the realm of politics and public policy. Apply to the program by Dec. 15 at nrinstitute.org.

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The season of giving Looking for the perfect gift?

We have you covered

BY EUGENE ZENYATTA

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t’s the season of giving, and we’ve rounded up some fantastic gift ideas from local businesses and organizations.

CraftNOW

This holiday season, CraftNOW introduces its second published work, “Craft Capital: Philadelphia’s Cultures of Making,” edited by Glenn Adamson. The book commemorates Philadelphia’s dedication to art and history from 1751 through 2019 – the fifth anniversary of CraftNOW – and tracks the transformation of Philadelphia’s expanding craft world. The book highlights the evolving history of Philadelphia and its skilled artists using photo essays from more than 10 local contributors. Purchase “Craft Capital” at local Head House Books, located at 619 South 2nd Street.

Image | Courtesy of CraftNOW

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Center for Art in Wood

Shop The Center for Art in Wood either online or in-person for handmade wooden gifts. The museum shop features one-of-a-kind wood art, jewelry pieces, and bowls from more than 50 talented artists. If you’re looking for an ideal holiday present, The Center for Art in Wood’s shop includes many ornaments, including a hand-painted and turned holly piece by local artist Robert Rosand for $50. The shop also has many featured items, including intricate wall workpieces by Philip Roberts ranging from $250 to $550, turned wooden bowls by David Lory and Alan Adler starting at $24, and Tara Locklear’s jewelry made from reclaimed skateboards. Shop in person or virtually at the-center-for-art-in-wood.myshopify.com. Museum holiday hours are Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. The museum will be open on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Orders for shipping will be accepted until Dec. 17.

Image | Courtesy of Center for Art in Wood

Theatre Exile

Support the local arts by purchasing tickets to South Philadelphiabased theater company Theatre Exile’s 25th anniversary season! The second show in the season, The Motherf**ker with the Hat, written by Pulitzer Prize-winner Stephen Adly Guirgis and directed by Ozzie Jones, is a Tony Award-nominated show which made its Broadway debut in 2011. The Motherf**ker with the Hat will heat up the Theatre Exile’s stage from Feb. 3 through 27. Just released from prison, Jackie lives with his childhood sweetheart Veronica and is staying clean with the help from his too-smooth sponsor Ralph D. Things are looking up for Jackie until he spots another man’s hat in their apartment. Tickets to The Motherf**ker with the Hat are available now and can be purchased at theatreexile.secure.force.com or by calling 215-218-4022.

Toile

If you have a fashionista on your list, then Toile, a woman-owned boutique in Fishtown boasting clothing, jewelry, accessories, and home goods from local and independent designers, is the place to shop till you drop for that fashion forward friend or family. Highlights include Leather Accessory line

by Bianca Rachele, boasting O-Ring Belt designed with 100% of genuine leather and a hand forged steel hardware by Ellen Durkan for the ring. For those who are more focused on wellness and healing, Toile also stocks The Conjure Wellness Healing Mists, a collection of aromatherapeutic gem essences. 1333 Frankford Avenue | 267.587.7221 | toile.myshopify.com

Chestnut Hill Business District

Surprise your loved one with a Chestnut Hill gift certificate to one of over 220 retailers, businesses, and restaurants. Available in convenient $25 and $50 denominations, the certificates are the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys distinctive boutique shopping, delicious culinary experiences, luxurious personal services, and the charming backdrop of Philadelphia's urban village. Order gift cards in person at the Chestnut Hill Welcome Center at 8514 Germantown Avenue by calling 215-247-6696 or purchase at chestnuthillpa.com.

Cocktail Workshop

If you have an at-home-mixologist or even a bookworm on your shopping list, then this book is the perfect gift for their bookcase. The Cocktail Workshop: An Essential Guide to Classic Drinks and How to Make Them Your Own, written by spirit savant Steven Grasse and esteemed travel, food, and spirit author Adam Erace, is an immersive dive into 20 classic libations and the tools used to build each one. It’s a great beginner book to help craft elevated, classic beverages from Martinis and Negronis to whiskies and postmodern slushies. You can purchase the book on Amazon for $24.99 for the hardcover or on the Kindle for $14.99. The book is also available at Art in the Age on-site or online – 116 N 3rd Street | 215.922.2600 | artintheage.com.

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MANNA

MANNA, an essential service that provides medically tailored meals to residents with critical illnesses in the Philadelphia region, has launched their 2021 Holiday Shop. Shoppers can choose from individual items such as fresh baked goods to MANNA-branded blankets and YETIs. In addition, this year MANNA is offering a “Made in Philly” holiday box featuring Philly Lovers’ local favorites, including coffee, a tote bag, magnets and more. The best part? All proceeds from any gift purchased will benefit MANNA to help them give to residents as well. mannaholidayshop.org

Museum of the American Revolution

From tickets for an unforgettable experience to gift memberships for an entire year of special offers, the Museum of the American Revolution has unique gift options for all ages. In the museum’s shop onsite and online, find unique items for the whole family at all price points, from books to apparel and even home decor. This year, check off everyone on your list while supporting the Museum in a meaningful way. See all of the gift ideas at amrevmuseum.org.

The Clay Studio

Shop at Old City-based The Clay Studio either online or in-person for a variety of handmade specialty gifts.

The shop features one-of-a-kind ceramics, including tableware, decorative art objects, jewelry, tiles, books, and boutique items created by over 140 artists, many of which are local to the Philadelphia area. The Clay Studio’s Ornaments from the Artist’s Studio collection celebrates the holiday season with handmade ornaments starting at just $19.95! Decorate your tree with one of Kip O’Krongly’s colorful farm animal ornaments or Nicole Aquillano’s intricate blue and white hand-drawn designs depicting the Ben Franklin Bridge, Eiffel Tower, snowflakes, and more. Fifty percent of all purchases from The Clay Studio go directly to the artists, and 50% of proceeds return to the non-profit operations of The Clay Studio, which serves 35,000 people, including 2,000 underserved school children each year.

Online orders must be received by Dec. 12 to ensure delivery by Dec. 25. Curbside pickup is also available through Christmas Eve. Free local delivery for purchases over $100. theclaystudio.org Image | Courtesy of The Clay Studio

Carpenters’ Hall

Constructed in 1774, Carpenters’ Hall was the site of the First Continental Congress. Today, the historic landmark is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm and is free to the public. The on-site gift shop features an eclectic collection of souvenirs and gifts related to colonial and revolutionary history, including books, prints, and more. Top items include An Ingenious Excuse: The True Story of Patrick Lyon and the First Great American Bank Robbery, Carpenters’ Hall print by Loud De Moll, and Robert Smith: Architect, Builder, Patriot by legendary preservationist and historian Charlie Peterson. Shop on-site or virtually at carpentershall.square. site/. Shoppers can receive 10% off an online order with code “VP1221.” Each purchase helps maintain and preserve American history and the legacy of Carpenters’ Hall.

Image | Courtesy of Carpenters’ Hall

DECEMBER 9 - 16, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

The Pathfinder Hemp and Root Limited edition beers The Pathfinder Hemp and Root, a fermented and distilled hemp-based, non-alcoholic spirit, is perfect for someone looking to explore no or low alcohol cocktails this holiday season. Pathfinder Hemp and Root has gift packages for those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages for the holidays. The Pathfinder & Coffee Package ($60) is the ideal present for those coffee lovers on your list.

The package includes one bottle of The Pathfinder – non-alcoholic spirit, a bag of Moonraker Coffee Roasters, a modern house blend of coffee beans, and an Art in the Age archway bottle tote to place the gifts in. Another gift idea package is the “Off the Sauce” package ($100). This gift is a great alternative for those who are not coffee drinkers. This package includes 1 bottle of The Pathfinder – non-alcoholic spirit, a bottle of Topo Chico Mineral Water, a gold foil Art in the Age rock glass to pour your ingredients in, a copy of Good Drinks by Julia Bainbridge and an Art in the Age canvas tote. Both packages can be purchased at Art in the Age on-site and online – 116 N 3rd Street | 215.922.2600 | artintheage.com.

2SP Brewing Company and Wawa are continuing their tradition of launching three limited-edition beers just in time for the holiday season. In its fourth year, the collaboration between 2SP Brewing Company’s Head Brewer, Bob Barrar, and Wawa’s Manager of Concept Development and “coffee guru,” Michael McLaughlin, brings about a brand-new brew – Winter Reserve Mocha Latte Stout (4-pack, 16 oz cans, $12.99), a 6.7% ABV full-bodied oatmeal stout with rich chocolate flavors and creamy mouthfeel. And also, back by popular demand is: Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout – 500 ML, ABV 8.2%: An English Style Imperial Oatmeal Stout aged in Woodford Reserve barrels for nine months. With the addition of Wawa’s Winter Reserve Coffee, this beer is silky smooth with a lot of nuance from bourbon barrels, including notes of vanilla and chocolate. $10.99 each.

Also, Rum Barrel Aged Imperial Stout – 500 ML, ABV 8.2%: An English Style Imperial Oatmeal Stout aged in Jamaican Rum barrels for nine months. 2spbrewing.com

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It’s a fact: no monthly mortgage payments are required with a government-insured HECM loan; however, the borrowers are still responsible for paying for the maintenance of their home, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance and, if required, their HOA fees.

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*https://www.yahoo.com/now/senior-housing-wealth-exceeds-record-150300719.html Reverse mortgage loan terms include occupying the home as your primary residence, maintaining the home, paying property taxes and homeowners insurance. Although these costs may be substantial, AAG does not establish an escrow account for these payments. However, a set-aside account can be set up for taxes and insurance, and in some cases may be required. Not all interest on a reverse mortgage is tax-deductible and to the extent that it is, such deduction is not available until the loan is partially or fully repaid.

AAG charges an origination fee, mortgage insurance premium (where required by HUD), closing costs and servicing fees, rolled into the balance of the loan. AAG charges interest on the balance, which grows over time. When the last borrower or eligible non-borrowing spouse dies, sells the home, permanently moves out, or fails to comply with the loan terms, the loan becomes due and payable (and the property may become subject to foreclosure). When this happens, some or all of the equity in the property no longer belongs to the borrowers, who may need to sell the home or otherwise repay the loan balance. V2021.06.21 HYBRID NMLS# 9392 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). American Advisors Group (AAG) is headquartered at 18200 Von Karman Ave., Suite 300, Irvine, CA 92612. Licensed in 49 states. Please go to www. aag.com/legal-information for full state license information.

These materials are not from HUD or FHA and were not approved by HUD or a government agency.

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ICEPACK

Lots of restaurant happenings along the Avenue

cil having less fun and frolic during the Christmicron-Philly welcomes you to yet another pandemic mas break: they have just a few sessions left before leaving to don elf ears and red noses. A year-end holiday with new Rudolf thing? A liquor thing? That’s on them. ailments pairing with societal ills in the same way Either way, who could blame them, with legislation to follow focused on blocking any of you’d pair dense red wines its membership’s potential for financial conwith a hearty porterhouse. flicts of interest (blame Henon for killing that That goes across the entire gold egg-laying goose). There’s nothing catchy spectrum of winter holy holabout calling this a “Transparent Twelve Days idays just passed and still inof Christmas,” or caroling a “God coming: Christmas, Ramadan, KwanRest Ye Fair and Fiduciary Centered zaa and Hanukkah.

Gentlepeople,” but at least we know Oh, Ok. Maybe we shouldn’t have BY: A.D the Council is at least pretending to be expected the still-fresh-paint smellAMOROSI discreet going forward. ing Philadelphia Commerce Director Restaurant openings Michael Rashid, now gone, to celeYou know that Chef Phila Lorn brate that last Jewish holiday, noted became part of Jose Garces still-new and evraving anti-Semitic social media commentator er-continuing revolving door Chef in Resithat he is. Then again, an equal opportunity dency program created for the post-still-herehater such as Rashid, who supposedly also COVID reopening of Volvér on Broad Street’s disses white Christians, Black women, his ofKimmel Cultural Campus. While Lorn’s fice’s employees and writes aloud how getting residency will run until Jan. 17, seeking married and having kids is a way for Black cash to open his first self-owned restaurant Americans to end poverty, who knows what showcasing Cambodian food and drink, Chef holiday Rashid might celebrate without dissPhila did tell me that he’s found a location ing or reprimanding his fellow man, woman for his restaurant, and its 1700 block of West and person? Point is don’t expect any winter holiday cards from Rashid, who resigned his Passyunk Avenue address. Good on Lorn. And while I’m strolling along the expanse of the Commerce post on Sunday, along with apoloAvenue, the decidedly un-Breyers-like North gizing for “previous comments which were inKensington-based small batch ice cream busiappropriate and insensitive.” ness, Milk Jawn, is moving its production Add Rashid to the list of city government employees leaving the building – on their own onto East Passyunk (1303) as well as its fresh storefront (1439). Amy Wilson, Cathryn Sandor otherwise, like recently convicted Councilmember Bobby Henon – and the decked City erson and Ryan Miller will take over the free space next to East Passyunk’s Essen Bakery, Hall filled with boughs and holly won’t have anyone left to enjoy its mistletoe. Then again, therefore turning that strip across the street from the ACME into a sweet tooth fiend’s nothing says Christmas, sadly, like a bloodletting. Ask Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault, paradise and a dentist’s dream. Also just reopened along the EPX, after two years – that’s who found his eight-game losing streak folpandemic time plus, man – is Chef/Owner lowed by a release from Philly’s hockey pucks.

Townsend Wentz’s Townsend and its fresh Council happenings prix fixe tasting menu format. Fine.

Speaking of our holiday-cheery City Coun-

Relâche music Philly’s longtime new music ensemble Relâche just welcomed a new managing director to its contemporary fold in Alyse Saltzman Flowers; just in time for the modernist electronic group to join forces with you – the public, hanging around Rittenhouse Square to start – for its rendition of composer Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night and its parade of homemade instruments on Dec. 10, starting the Square at 6:30. Don’t ask questions. Just be prepared to promenade.

Fish in Fishtown “Bringing the Fish back to Fishtown.” You knew the tagline was coming when you heard that Frankford Avenue was getting red snapper, lobsters and salmon. At The Fin, starting this weekend when it finally opens to the public. (Philly Weekly got a rare preview when it held a book release party for scribe Stu Bykofsky’s first set-in-the-70s Philly-centric novel, Press Card). Executive chef Vlentin Bay previously worked the kitchens at Citron + Rose and Brauhaus Schmitz and is now bringing his “European point of view, the way I learned to love it” to The Fin’s still building menu of whole grilled rockfish and its corn + crab bisque, a nifty Surf and Turf Charcuterie tray and, even a fishy dessert in Cajun Crab Cheesecake. To go with a fishy restaurant, The Fin is hook (line and sinker)ing up with bar industry veteran (and the owner of/ roaster from Mutiny Coffee Company) Philip Search. Just as he has at Bahn Mi and Bottles, expect the cocktail program and wine list to be exxxxxxxxxxtensive.

Music from Doylestown Doylestown. When was the last time anyone spoke of Doylestown? What’s even there beyond the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa? (I grew up Catholic in an all Polish neighborhood in SW Philly, so I know about these things). Ceramic Animal and the Broth-

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ers Regan is in Doylestown. And soon the local indie ensemble will be world-wide signed as they are for an album (Sweet Unknown, released in March), a new producer (Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach) and a new record label (his Easy Eye Sound). Congrats.

MASKED PHILLY: Dana Canalichio In Icepack’s way too-long, way overly complex and continuing saga of asking mask-donning local celebrities what they’ve been up to, beyond the pale, during C-19 – from lockdown to the current reopening, present-day unmasking and re-masking, worrying about Delta variants, freaking out about Fauci’s call for a potential third round of vax shots mere five months after the last, new mask and vax card mandates, ignored or not ignored (I mean why did I wait in line at the Convention Center if you’re not asking to see my card?), the possibility of mix-and-matching vaccines which is weird, AND NOW, YEAH OF COURSE, the whole worldwide B.1.1.529 Omicron variant scare, so welcome to ROUND THREE, I reached out this week to Dana Canalichio.

Being the director of operations and development at Four Corners Management Hospitality – Avram Hornik’s food and beverage venue umbrella – means holding court over everything from turning Broad Street’s The Dolphin from a dive bar into a hi-tech dance lounge, getting Rosy’s Taco Bars handmade shells filled with designer pork belly and working on everything for FCM joints Morgan’s Pier, Lola’s Garden, Concourse Dance Bar, Craft Hall, Harper’s Garden, Juno, Parks on Tap, The Garden at Cherry Street Pier and Trails on Tap. Not a big television person before C-19’s slowdown, Dana Netflix-binged her heart out, starting with Ozark, Queen’s Gambit and Tiger King. “For once I got to be trendy like everyone else and watch things in real

time, a novelty when you are in the hospitality business,” she says. “I did spend a lot of time wishing I took up cooking but never got to that place as I was still working and opening outdoor spots but the nature of the work just changed.” Dana did, however, support her restaurant friends and colleagues at Uptown Beer Garden, Radicchio, Philadium, Barcelona, Stogie Joes, and others. “I also dreamt of full-service meals and a great steak dinner, so found myself being a fan of the Steak 48.”

Dana is cool with vaxxes and masks, and got her face covering from Riviera Maya, Mexico during Halloween weekend. “FCM Hospitality took our entire staff to Mexico as a thank you reward for all they did for us and the entire community over the pandemic. The mask represents such a special trip with our giant team and hundreds of employees as over the pandemic we weathered so many things together.” The vax? Dana just got her booster and FCM is incentivizing all employees to get their booster shot.

Along with looking forward to wearing lipstick, traveling to Vegas and screaming her face off at an Eagles game without masks (“I can’t wait to bleed green all season long. I even started hitting away Eagles games! I went to four already”) FCM has many exciting projects and will continue to open new restaurants and outdoor spaces next year. “Including Philadelphia’s single largest outdoor restaurant ever on the Waterfront.

I am thrilled to have the greenhouses back at Juno and Harper’s Garden, and I absolutely love the new patio and covered vibes in Ardmore at Lola’s – its our first season on the Main Line and it’s going to be really amazing to experience with my team and our Main Line guests.”

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12

OPINION

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

Gun permit problem

SOLVED Philadelphia forced to speed up gun-carry permit issuing

F

or the second time since the prompted separate lawsuits from gun rights pandemic began, the city of groups like the Firearms Policy Coalition Philadelphia has course-cor- (FPC) and GOA. rected after being sued by gunThough the city eventually agreed to accept rights activists. permit applications online, several residents Gun Owners of America claimed the city was refusing to allow ap(GOA) announced recently it proved applicants to receive their issued perwould drop its lawsuit against mits, creating the impetus for this latest suit Philadelphia after the city from GOA. confirmed to a Pennsylvania “Last October, Philadelphia wanted resicourt it is issuing Licenses to Carry Firearms dents to wait months just to apply. Now they (LTCF) within the 45-day window required want residents to wait months to pick up their by state law. GOA filed the suit afapplication,” Andrew Austin, who ter the city repeatedly failed to meet represented GOA in the case, told The the deadline over the course of the Reload at the time. “Gun Owners of BY: JAKE COVID-19 pandemic.

FOGELMAN America sued them last year – forcing “Philadelphia is now issuing them to take applications – and now we LTCF permits faster than at any have to sue them again so they’ll issue point in history,” Val Finnell, GOA’s them.”

Pennsylvania director, said in a press release.

With the City finally agreeing to comply “They seem to have finally realized that GOA with state law, the group sees the decision as is not going to tolerate them thumbing their an improvement for residents wishing to lawnose at the law and will sue them again and fully carry a gun. again if necessary until they do their jobs.”

“While it’s unfortunate that Philadelphians Philadelphia’s shift in its permitting pracstill must wait several weeks to receive their tice is just the latest victory for gun-rights permits, it’s better than the months or years activists in lawsuits over gun permits against that the City wanted residents to wait to exercities across the country. It also marks the cise their natural right to protect themselves third time that Philadelphia specifically has and their families,” Finnell said. been sued for creating delays to its carry perThis story was originally published in mit process in recent months.

The Reload.

At the onset of the COVID pandemic in March 2020, the city shut down the application process for residents to obtain permits and kept it shuttered for longer than most other counties in the state. Even after its Gun Permit Unit reopened, the city delayed accepting permit applications for up to 18 months. That

DECEMBER 9 - 16, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

MUSIC

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

13

Stars will be dropping a new album next year. Image | Shervin Lainez

Montreal band to play World Cafe Live

M

STARS ON

STAGE

ontreal band Stars will be headlining World Cafe Live on Dec. 11, as a part of The Together Tour – the band’s grand return to the U.S. and continuation of their annual North American holiday shows. These December shows have become a tradition for the band, in which they connect their fans and friends to a spirited and beautiful end-of-year celebration.

The band’s touring return is accompanied with news that a new Stars album will be released via Last Gang Records in 2022, so expect previews of new songs to grace the show alongside fan favorites.

You can find tickets and details at worldcafelive.com.

Stars albums have always served as thermochromic barometers of their makers’ emotional well-being, be it the romantic upheaval of 2003’s Heart and 2004’s Set Yourself On Fire,

the newsticker-triggered discontent of 2007’s toughest of times.

Describe your creative process. How do In Our Bedroom After the War, the downcast elegies of 2010’s The Five Ghosts (a requiem you decide which songs you record and which ones don’t make the cut? for singer Torquil Campbell’s father, who We are true to the word BAND. We write as passed away during the album’s creation), or a collective. In terms of song choices, Chris the rejuvenation of 2012’s The North (recordSeligman and Evan Cranley are pretty cut ed while inter-band couple Amy Millan and throat. Torq and I are more attached, but we Evan Cranley were in the throes of new parrespect if Chris and Evan just aren’t enthood). Stars continued with their feeling a song so we let it go. Definitely 2014 dance-club inspired offering, No One Is Lost and the 2017 pristinely BY: EUGENE has caused some of our biggest fights ZENYATTA over the years! produced by Grammy-award winner You have a new album coming Peter Katis, There Is No Love In Fluout next year. What can you tell us orescent Light, which was followed by, the beautifully compiled ‘best of’ of sorts in about it? How did it come together?

There was a lot of sending music around as LaGuardia (2019).

PW recently caught up with Millan to talk we were basically in lockdown. Chris Seligman bubbled up with our family in Montreal about the band and the upcoming shows.

Stars has been around for more than 20 so Evan and Chris could keep writing.

We went to a house in Ontario and they years. Why do you think it’s been so sucwrote a ton of music that they would send to cessful for so long?

Friendship and forgiveness. We’ve been Torq and I and we would bash out the lyrics and melodies. And then when we were vacthrough a lot but we understand the alchemy of us is rare so we keep at it even through the cinated we were able to get together and do

some writing all together off the floor. I’m very excited for our fans to hear it and we will be playing some of the songs in our upcoming shows.

How did the band spend its time during the pandemic lockdown, and how good does it feel to be back on stage before live crowds?

We spent a lot of time sharing the making of the album on our Patreon page. Patreon was a real saving grace for us and our community of fans.

I have two young children so that kept me pretty busy too! There’s nothing like the communion of people in a room singing their guts out so we can’t wait for the shows.

What can your fans expect when Stars hits the stage at World Cafe Live on Dec. 11? No doubt a lot of favorites, but also some songs from the upcoming album?

It’s a pretty unique set with old and new intertwined. A return to the stage so some high drama mixed with some sweet holiday jams.

Yule the tide we will.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | DECEMBER 9 - 16, 2021

14

THE RUNDOWN

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THE RUNDOWN Image | Nathan Ansell

TIME TO ROCK OUT

Check out these live performances coming to a stage near you.

The War on Drugs

Early next year, Philly’s own The War On Drugs will embark on a North American tour in support of their fifth studio album, I Don’t Live Here Anymore, which is out now on Atlantic Records. The album has been critically lauded, with extensive features in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, NPR Music, Pitchfork, and more. In the past two months, they’ve performed on CBS This Morning, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Catch them Jan. 27 and Jan. 28 at The Met. Themetphilly.com

Image | Courtesy of The War on Drugs

Steve Gunn Madeon

2020 and into 2021 have been busy for Madeon. He received his first Grammy nomination for his 2019 album, Good Faith, worked with Lady Gaga on her hit single “911” from Chromatica, released a remix of “No Fear No More” with hip hop duo EARTHGANG and debuted the Lena Headey-directed video for “Miracle” starring Maisie Williams. Catch him March 5 at The Fillmore. thefillmorephilly.com

Image | Ronnie Loyd

DECEMBER 9 - 16, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

Catch Steve Gunn at Ardmore Music Hall on Dec. 17. Gunn is one of our most virtuosic contemporary guitarists and a masterful figure in American underground music. On his recent Other You, the voice and lyrics take a new front seat, right where we can hear them. ardmoremusichall.com

Chelsea Reed & The Fairweather Nine

Philly fan favorite Chelsea Reed & The Fairweather Nine will be swinging in the new year once again at Chris’ Jazz Café on Dec. 31. It’s been two long years since jazz lovers have been able to ring in the new year at the legendary jazz club. The swingin’ New Year’s Eve soirée includes a scrumptious three-course prix fixe and show package. chrisjazzcafe.com

Madi Diaz

Rage, confusion, despair, self-deception, and introspection – Madi Diaz cycles through the full spectrum of emotions on History Of A Feeling, her debut on ANTI-. It’s an album that undeniably marks Diaz’s status as a first-rate songwriter, a craft she’s spent years refining, and one wherein Diaz establishes herself as an artist capable of distilling profound feelings with ease. Catch Diaz April 10 and April 11 at Union Transfer. utphilly.com

Chris Pureka

Portland-based singer-songwriter Chris Pureka is coming through Philadelphia on Dec. 17 for a show at Johnny Brenda’s to promote her new EP, The Longest Year. Her elegant emotionality as a vocalist and her flair as a lyricist have garnered her favorable comparisons to Chan Marshall, Bruce Springsteen and Patty Griffin. johnnybrendas.com

THE RUNDOWN

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

15

Franky Bradley’s

Franky Bradley’s presents Naughty Or Nice, a Holiday Cabaret Fundraiser with an impressive lineup of Philadelphia’s top-notch drag and burlesque artists performing classic holiday hits while benefiting local youth organizations, on Dec. 23 at 9pm. Hosted by Maria Topcatt and Flirt Vonnegut, Naughty Or Nice is an extravagant, holiday-themed cabaret show fit with an ensemble of beloved local performers, including Eric Jaffe, Icon Ebony Fierce, Miss V, Sapphira Cristal, HoneyTree EvilEye, Vera Valentinaa, and more. All proceeds garnered from Naughty Or Nice will be donated to the Attic Youth Center, a local organization that creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth. The show starts at 9pm, and tickets, priced at $15 per person, are available on eventbrite.com.

From drag and burlesque to dance and great cocktails, there’s something for everyone coming up soon.

Image | Courtesy of Franky Bradley’s

Drag, cocktails and more Fishtown Freeze + Winter Wonderland

Fishtown District will bring icy family fun to the neighborhood with the 3rd Annual Fishtown Freeze and Winter Wonderland on Dec. 11, from noon-8pm.

Families can enjoy 20-plus custom ice sculptures throughout Fishtown, three live ice sculpture carvings, entertainment and free refreshments at the Winter Wonderland in the outdoor extension of The Fillmore from 4-7pm, and an ice bonfire as the grand finale. The event is free and held outdoors.

High Note High Step Festival

Get an inside look into two of the most impactful youth arts education organizations in the city of Philadelphia – Musicopia and Dancing Classrooms Philly – on Dec. 12 at their High Note High Step Festival. This day-long, free, virtual event taking place on interactive online platform Remo will feature hands-on music and dance workshops, a student Q & A, and an artist showcase.

The event runs from 10am – 4:30pm and you can join for the whole day, or choose your sessions. For more information and to register online, visit bit.ly/21HNHS.

Jeff Parker

Jeff Parker has released “Four Folks,” a second track from his forthcoming album Forfolks. The song, first written and recorded by Parker in 1995, is one of six of his compositions on his new album of solo guitar works, due Dec. 10. Catch Parker Dec. 17 at Ardmore Music Hall. ardmoremusichall.com

David Shaw

Platinum-selling singer, songwriter, producer and The Revivalists front man David Shaw returns to the road this winter for a headlining tour in support of his debut self-titled solo album. The 10-date outing stops locally on Dec. 15 at World Café Live. Accompanying Shaw on the tour is an ensemble of talented musicians and friends including PJ Howard [drums] and Chris Gelbuda [guitar] – who also appear on David Shaw – as well as Pete Murano [guitar], Andriu Yanovski [Keys], and Noah Young [bass]. worldcafelive.com

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The museum presents the Winter Cocktail Classic on Dec. 17 from 5-7pm. Learn how to make and enjoy three festive holiday cocktails. To learn more about tickets and reservations, which are required, visit philamuseum.org.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | DECEMBER 9 - 16, 2021

NICE RACK

SEX WITH TIMAREE

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

An interview with

ALEXANDRA NM-00479586

REACH OUT TO US. Carry PW’s at your spot. drops@philadelphiaweekly.com.

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HUNT

Editor’s note: The following is an interparts of Philly will be underwater. The heat, view with Alexandra Hunt, a former stripfires, and droughts we experienced this sumper running for Congress. mer are only going to get worse. Bold, transRoxborough resident Alexandra Hunt, 28, formative action to address the climate crisis is running for the PA-03 Congressional seat, is our only option. an oddly shaped district that contains large PW: Much attention has been paid to swaths of Philadelphia. She decided to run, your previous work as a stripper, do you she says, while at a food distribution event, think that in this era of sex workers rights, one of her many volunteer projects. The panit gives you a leg up with young voters demic laid bare the failures of the governand/or do you think it overshadows your ment, she says, inspiring her to act. policy positions?

Her campaign has garnered naAH: I don’t think it overshadows tional media attention, from viral my policy positions at all. I think video site Now This to Washington it informs my policy positions. So Post women’s edition, The Lily. The many of our current policies and media coverage showcases her propoliticians dehumanize everyday gressive platform but always starts people – I know what that feels like. with the same focus: that she would I have a human rights-centered platbe the first former stripper to serve form, so even if it’s an issue I havin Congress. en’t personally experienced, I can In this interview with Philly empathize and recognize when peoWeekly, the public health researchple are being dehumanized because er, girls’ soccer coach, community I’ve been there too. That being said, organizer and “dog mom to Kota DR. TIMAREE I do get worried that young voters Hunt,” discusses whether the focus glamorize my experience as a stripon her previous career helps her @TIMAREE_LEIGH per and don’t understand the stigma win over more voters or overshadand violence that is associated with ows her policy positions. The intersex work. I get very torn between view has been edited for brevity. the work of destigmatizing sex work and not overshielding young folks from the hate that PW: You have a widely varied policy platform that touches on the Digital New that brings to my candidacy and person.

Deal, healthcare, income equality, reproPW: How much do you think your expeductive rights, climate, etc. What would rience in stripping will impact your goveryou say is the number one priority? nance? Do you have skill sets and experiAH: It’s hard to have a “number one priorences from that job that translate well to ity” when every issue is intersectional. But if politics?

I have to pick one, it would have to be tackling AH: Well, let’s just say that I wasn’t too conthe climate crisis. Without a liveable world, cerned about whether or not I had the ability having healthcare and reproductive rights to fundraise... which is actually a very unforbecomes moot.…In less than 20 years, we’re tunate part of our current political climate. I due to see ocean levels rising to a point where think it will allow me to keep it real with col-

SCHMIT

SEX WITH TIMAREE

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

leagues and with constituents. I’m hoping that it’s going to help me navigate relationships and network once I’m in the House because working at a strip club is a lot of networking, navigating relationships, and forming boundaries.

PW: You have said that you don’t want to be the face of sex workers rights, but that you will still advocate for them. What are some specific policies that you support or oppose, related to this issue?

AH: I support decriminalizing sex work, decarcerating all sex workers, and expunging records. SESTA-FOSTA needs to be repealed and protections need to be passed giving users rights to online platforms including for the use of sex work. We need to ban all loitering laws. The legalization of sex work is a different issue because bodily autonomy is a human right. There needs to be legal ramifications for discriminating against current or prior sex workers in the workplace, in the healthcare industry, in housing, etc. On top of these issues, I believe we need to be providing The heat, sex education during school so we can this sum- have healthy adults understanding conold, trans- sent and ways to have consensual and mate crisis safe sex.

PW: You would be one of very few n paid to public health experts in Congress, if r, do you elected. How do you think having a rs rights, public health background would inng voters fluence you as a representative? What ows your are the biggest issues in public health right now, in your estimation? ershadows AH: I think having a public health ll. I think background could form some of the itions. So strongest, most policy-oriented reprelicies and sentatives….It’s crucial to have repreeveryday sentatives who specialize in prevention feels like. rather than intervention. Interventiontered plat- ists slap Band-Aids over bullet holes. sue I hav- Preventionists take bullets out of the ced, I can gun. The biggest issue in public health when peo- is still the environment, but let me exd because plain how it plays out from a public being said, health standpoint. The climate crisis is ung voters why we have a pandemic – we’re going as a strip- to see a rise in viruses as we face rising the stigma temperatures. We need a nationalized iated with public health system to be able to ren between spond to natural threats and disasters k and not (caused by the climate crisis). We also need hate that to take off the weight we put on schools while son. underfunding public education and underpayour expe- ing teachers. We essentially rely on schools to our gover- provide educational daycare so parents can nd experi- go to work and keep the economy running. If te well to we need to shut down to prevent the spread of disease (which is very much spread through n’t too con- schools and children), we need parents to be the ability able to stay home and tend to their families, so ery unfor- we also need a better balance of life and work. climate. I PW: How has it been speaking openly l with col- about your experience as a survivor of sex-

ual assault and domestic violence? Why did you share this information?

AH: It has been very, very hard, but I knew I needed to share it in order to start to open people up to what is restorative justice and to understanding how these types of violence are systemic issues. Ending domestic violence is very much an economic issue. We have widely accepted the prevalence of sexual assault in our everyday lives and we need to be speaking up loudly and consistently if we want to get to a point where it’s completely unacceptable. I also wanted to confront the

17

flex after Democrats took the majority in the federal government. The attack on abortion rights is against women and the attack on voting rights is against minorities and it shows how far away this country is from being a democracy.

Forced pregnancy is considered a crime against humanity under the Geneva Convention.

PW: What do you say to criticism about a white person running to unseat a Black congressman representing a city with a large Black population? Have you spoken to Black community leaders about this?

AH: I have. Representation absolutely matters and that includes ideological representation and experiences representation. I don’t want the first woman president if she’s a female version of Donald Trump (yes, this is a stab at Tulsi Gabbard). Dwight Evans is very conservative in his politics and it’s had a big impact on Philly during his four decades of elected office. The struggles of our public schools today are because Dwight Evans sided with the then PA Republican governor and helped set up a system that would defund them during his time in the state house. He doesn’t support Medicare for All. He helped pass SESTA-FOSTA and is now co-leading a tough on crime bill in the House. He voted to reinstate ICE. PA-03 is a majority Black, majority women, majority impoverished district. These systemic issues that we’ve been talking about sit heavily on Philadelphians’ shoulders. We need every person of every race fighting to lift this city. And if you’re not fighting for the people in this city – you’re part of the problem. Black community leaders know this.

PW: Why is it important to you to have a youth advisory committee?

What kind of contributions do they make to your campaign?

AH: We need to be building our policy priorities around our young people.

Our young people have the biggest possibility at impacting positive change, so we need to make sure their voices are heard, represented, and have a say in Image | Courtesy of the Alexandra Hunt campaign the direction we’re heading. Otherwise, we’ll find ourselves repeating the same stigma of being a sex worker or labeled a slut/ cycle 20-30 years from now of the younger genwhore/hoe doesn’t make me “down for any- erations feuding with older generations about thing.” My no means no. That being said, no what needs to be our number one issue. The one owes anyone else their trauma. When it youth advisory committee has their own sogets too difficult to talk about or share, I don’t. cial media accounts and focuses on the issues PW: Another thing you’ve shared is your that are most important to them – several of experience with abortion. What do you which are outlined in our campaign. They volhave to say about the ongoing encroach- unteer with us in different fields and capaciment on abortion rights, including the re- ties and are working to get more young folks cent Texas ban and the proposed Ohio one? into politics.

AH: I think we’re witnessing all the ways an Have a question for Dr. Timaree? Send oppressive system tries to protect itself from an email to asktimaree@philadelphibeing dismantled. I think this is a Republican aweekly.com.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | DECEMBER 9 - 16, 2021

18

VOICES

OF OUR

CITY

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

THE SILENCE IS DEAFENING FOLLOWING THE DOUGHERTY/HENON CONVICTIONS On November 15, 2021, John Dougherty, head of Electricians Union Local 98 and Philadelphia City Councilman Robert Henon were convicted in federal court for multiple counts of fraud and public corruption. For anyone who has watched local politics in Philadelphia, this came as no shock, considering the news reports of FBI raids and transcripts of wiretaps detailing corruption between the powerful labor leader and city government that detailed horrible abuses of power and corruption.

However, in the days following the conviction of the Delaware Valley’s most powerful political “kingmaker,” the silence has been deafening from the myriad of elected officials that owe their jobs to a man that courts have just proven as corrupt. This includes Mayor Jim Kenney, who actually praised Dougherty following the conviction. Even worse has been an absence of comment from Gov. Tom Wolf and Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who failed to provide any state oversight or charges relating to the incestuous relationship between Dougherty and Philadelphia corruption scandals.

The question on the minds of Philadelphia taxpayers must be just how far federal prosecutors will look into those who benefitted from and aided Dougherty and Henon’s running of the Philadelphia political machine.

Dougherty was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and seven counts of honest services wire fraud. The jury convicted Henon on one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, eight counts of honest services wire fraud, and one count of bribery. The pair’s honest services wire fraud convictions were based on schemes to use the city’s Department of Licenses & Inspections to retaliate against the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for using nonunion labor; in addition to other schemes to rig the Plumbing Code, pressure the Building Trades; towing of cars; extort Comcast in their construction of the city’s two largest skyscrapers; and surrounding the passage of Mayor Jim Kenney’s controversial “Soda Tax.” Additional wire fraud and bribery charges against Henon were based on a $5,000 campaign contribution from the Com-

DECEMBER 9 - 16, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

munication Workers of America (CWA) union to Henon’s campaign bank account.

In looking at why there are no cries of outrage from our state and local political leaders, as well as why there are seemingly no political checks and balances in Pennsylvania’s most populous region – one simply has to “follow the money.” While federal prosecutors are appointees, Pennsylvania’s Attorney General and District Attorneys are all elected, and for the last eight years have all shared the same political party.

This presents a major conflict of interest since the State Attorney General is supposed to work against possible corruption at the county and municipal levels. When Attorney General Josh Shapiro (D) received $130,000 from Dougherty’s Local 98 under his personal campaign committee and then another $50,000 under the Shapiro/Richards campaign committee from when he was a Montgomery County Commissioner – a serious conflict and ethics issue exists.

“Today’s verdict is a strong message to the political power players of this city that the citizens of Philadelphia will not tolerate public corruption as ‘business as usual’,” Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier-Williams said.

“John Dougherty is not above the law. He is not entitled, had no right, to pull the strings of official City business as if he were elected to office. And Bobby Henon was not elected to represent Local 98 or John Dougherty’s interests on City Council, or any union for that

matter, but to represent all the people of the City’s 6th Councilmanic District – a fact which he failed to remember in doing the bidding of his political godfather, Dougherty. Philadelphians deserve more than a system that favors the few who have a ‘person they can call’ to get things done. Everyone deserves equal access to the decision-makers in their government.”

While the acting U.S. Attorney is certainly correct in her statement, the question remains as to how people have become decision-makers in Philadelphia’s government. Dougherty, while controlling the coffers of Local 98, has backed a myriad of local politicians – from the register of wills to members of congress and our governor. A valid question exists as to how Pennsylvania’s Inspector General community still lacks the independent authority that exists in other jurisdictions, and how the state Attorney General has failed to do what federal law enforcement took years to accomplish.

While Dougherty’s camp will try to paint these convictions as an attack on organized labor, the evidence points to the contrary.

One only has to look back to footage of Local 98 operative Ray Dellavella harassing 2003 Mayoral candidate Sam Katz in Tigre Hill’s documentary “Shame of a City” to see that 98’s involvement in campaigns from Street to Kenney were more about wielding power vs. helping the working man. “From the start, John Dougherty and Bobby Henon sought to

tag this as an anti-union case,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Philadelphia. “Let’s be clear. The FBI has no problem with labor unions. It’s criminals we’re after, like a local power broker who gives an elected official a handsome salary and benefits he didn’t earn, in exchange for doing that benefactor’s business at City Hall.

Today, the jury called it what it was, a crooked quid pro quo – one that tilted the playing field in Dougherty’s favor, giving him an unfair advantage over every Philadelphian who acts with fairness and integrity. That is corruption, that is wrong, and this city deserves so much better.”

Can we finally change the culture of corruption controlling the birthplace of American democracy? In New Orleans, it took a massive hurricane to get numerous federal agencies to look into the corrupt machine running the “Big Easy.” In Detroit, it took the first bankruptcy declared by a major American city to bring an emergency manager in to spotlight on just how poorly “Motown” was being run. If our federal authorities keep “peeling back the onion” on those who worked with and benefitted from Dougherty’s support throughout the years, a catalyst for true change may emerge.

Furthermore, will the disinfectant of sunlight on the political machine led by Dougherty and Henon drive Pennsylvania voters toward candidates who promote strong ethics controls in the upcoming 2022 election? If so, all eyes will be on the candidates least aligned with Delaware Valley party politics and to those who have plans to promote oversight in state and local government.

A. Benjamin Mannes is a decorated former municipal and federal law enforcement officer before being thrust into a legal battle over Washington, D.C.’s unconstitutional firearms prohibition in 2005. Following his 2007 reinstatement to the D.C. police, Mannes served as a consultant and expert witness; and as the director, Office of Investigations with the American Board of Internal Medicine from 2008-2017. He is a regular contributor to Philadelphia Weekly, Broad + Liberty, and other publications, and serves on Lou Barletta’s Public Safety Advisory Board.

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