philadelphia daily record

PhiladelphiaDaily Record

Vol. II No. 62 (222) Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia May 12, 2011

CREATIVE & PERFORMING ARTS HS choir led rousing renditions of gospel

and patriotic classics at DA Seth Williams’ first “Prayer for Peace Breakfast” at

1st Dist. Plaza in University City this morning. More pictures page 5.

Praise The Lord!

2 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 10 MAY, 2011

Toomey, Colleague Work To Block

Excessive Dodd-Frank RegsUS Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Mike Johanns (R-

Neb.) introduced legislation yesterday prohibiting

federal agencies from using the Dodd-Frank Wall

Street Reform & Consumer Protection Act to impose

onerous new regulations on Main Street job creators.

“Subjecting manufacturing companies in Pennsylva-

nia and across the country to these Dodd-Frank regu-

lations will divert capital they would otherwise use to

invest in their businesses and hire new employees.

This is one of the many unintended consequences we

are now seeing as a result of Dodd-Frank,” Toomey

said.

During consideration of Dodd-Frank, Members from

both sides of the aisle in both chambers made clear

that margin requirements should not be imposed on

those who use derivatives to hedge their legitimate

business risks. However, a new rule released Apr. 12

may force manufacturers, energy producers and a

broad array of other small businesses to place critical

capital investment on the sidelines if they wish to

continue using these risk-management tools.

The rule, if finalized, will have a negative impact on

the country’s job creators, requiring companies to use

funds for collateral instead of for hiring and expand-

ing. Additional hedging costs will likely be passed on

to consumers, driving up prices on everyday goods.

Casey Presses China Trade with

Ambassador to China NomineeUS Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) met

yesterday with Commerce Secre-

tary Gary Locke, who has been

nominated to be the next US Am-

bassador to China. The Senator re-

leased the following statement:

“Ahead of his confirmation hear-

ing, I met with Secretary Locke to

discuss the many important issues

concerning U.S. policy toward

China. China’s unfair trade poli-

cies were at the top of my agenda.

“I made clear to Secretary Locke

my concerns about China’s cur-

rency manipulation that is putting

Pennsylvania workers and compa-

nies at a disadvantage as well as

the hardships faced by workers

who have lost their jobs to China. I

also discussed my repeated calls

for the Obama Administration to

do more to crack down on China

and level the playing field for

Pennsylvania workers.

“I will continue to press these is-

sues when Secretary Locke ap-

pears before the Senate Foreign

Relations Committee.”

Kevin Boyle: Republicans,

Put Ed $$$ Back In BudgetState Rep. Kevin Boyle (D-Northeast) called on Gov.

Tom Corbett and the House Republican leaders yes-

terday to use the State revenue surplus to restore pro-

posed budget cuts.

“House Republicans are touting an ‘alternate’ budget

to the Governor’s proposal,” Boyle said. “The truth of

the matter is their plan upholds $890 million of the

Governor’s $1 billion in cuts to education, and fails to

restore funding for vital services that benefit seniors,

women and children.”

10 MAY, 2011 THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD | 3

Boyle said State revenue is coming in ahead of esti-

mate, but House Republicans want to stash that

money in the Rainy Day Fund. The State Dept. of

Revenue recently reported $506 million more in tax

revenue than was originally projected. Excess rev-

enue becomes part of next year’s revenue base, mean-

ing new funds in excess of $1 billion for the 2011-12

budget.

Boyle said the House Republican budget also pro-

poses funding cuts for community colleges, State-re-

lated schools and $75 million from State-system

schools.

“It’s clear that meeting the basic needs of Pennsylva-

nians is not a priority for my Republican counter-

parts,” he said. “This budget proposal will result in

higher taxes for working, middle-class families and

lower taxes for big corporations. It will hurt children,

education, and vulnerable Pennsylvanians.”

Bishop’s Bill Would Abolish School

Reform CommissionState Rep. Louise Williams Bishop

(D-W. Phila.) has introduced legis-

lation that would eliminate the cur-

rent Philadelphia School Reform

Commission and allow the District

to be operated by an elected school

board.

Bishop said the legislation (HB

1517) addresses serious issues in

the schools’ operation.

“After 10 years of the District op-

erating by SRC, schools remain in

a distressed state such as not being

in compliance with State laws, not

remaining open for a full school

year and defaulting on financial

obligations,” Bishop said. “My bill

would allow the elected school di-

rectors to take control of the

School District and resolve these

major concerns.”

Bishop said in 2001, the Pennsyl-

vania Dept. of Education declared

Philadelphia schools to be in dis-

tress. At that time under Act 88 of

the State’s public-school code,

control of the School District was

turned over to the State and the

City of Philadelphia’s School Re-

form commission.

The school reform commission is

comprised of four members ap-

pointed by the Governor and one

member appointed by the Philadel-

phia Mayor. They serve various

terms in office.

“We need the School District to be

operated by an elected board in-

stead of an appointed group of

handpicked people,” Bishop said.

The bill is being considered in the

House Education Committee.

Bishop is Democratic chairwoman

of the House Children and Youth

Committee.

Constitutional Review Commission

Schedules Hearing In DoylestownA public hearing to examine the structure of the

State’s General Assembly will be held in

Doylestown on May 16 as part of a thorough review

of the State’s Constitution by a subcommittee of the

Pennsylvania Bar Association Constitutional Review

Commission.

“These hearings are valuable opportunities for citi-

zens to provide information that will help shape the

subcommittee’s recommendations to improve the

structure and operation of government in the com-

monwealth,” said PBA President Matthew J. Crème,

Jr.

“It’s important we hear all points of view during the

hearing process,” said James Gardner Colins, a for-

mer Commonwealth Court president judge and

Philadelphia lawyer who is chairing the commission.

“The constitutional scholars, practicing lawyers, sit-

ting judges and public policy experts serving on our

commission want to take a broad view and consider

the multitude of ideas and opinions that could im-


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T h e P h i l a d e l p h i a P u b l i c R e c o r d C a l e n d a r

May 12-

State Rep. Mike O’Brien hosts

Community Mtg. on small-busi-

ness development for 175th State

House Dist. at Old Pine Commu-

nity Ctr., 401 Lombard St., 6-8

p.m.

May 13-

Dem. 13th Ward Fish Fry at Lou &

Choo’s, 21st & Hunting Park Ave.,

5-10 p.m. Donation $10. For info

Mike Pender (267) 973-0193.

May 13-

Committeepersons Special for ju-

dicial candidate Jim DiVergilis at

Finnigan’s Wake, 3rd & Spring

Garden Sts., 5-8 p.m. Tickets at

door $40.

May 13-

Sid Booker hosts Shrimp Rally for

Mayor Michael Nutter outside

Stinger La Pointe Restaurant, 4600

N. Broad St., 6-8:30 p.m. All in-

vited.

May 13-15

Phila. Chapter of National Con-

gress of Black Women kicks off

Black Splendor Weekend at Friday

formal at 1st Dist. Plaza, 7 p.m.

honoring Onah C. Weldon.

May 14-

Mayfair Fallen Heroes 5K Run &

Walk at Lincoln HS, Ryan & Row-

land Aves., 8:30-10:30 a.m. $25

proceeds support education of po-

lice/fire survivors. For info may-

fairbiz.com/run.

May 14-

E. Mount Airy Neighbors hosts

Swing Into Spring dance party

fundraiser from 7 to 11 p.m. Music

by Doc Gibbs. Open wine/beer

bar, hors d’oeuvres and desserts.

Tickets $90, tax deductible. Ben-

bow Hall on Lutheran Seminary

Campus, 7301 Germantown Ave.,

7-11 p.m. Free Parking. For more

info www.eastmountairy.org.

May 14-

State Sen. Anthony H. Williams,

with Grands As Parents and Turn-

ing Points for Children, hosts day-

long workshop for kinship

caregivers from 8:30 a.m. to 3

p.m. at the McNeil STC Building

at Univ. of Sciences, 42nd & Wood-

land Ave., 8:30 a.m.-3 Free public

event. Lunch. Registration needed.

Call Brenda Rich (215) 875-4955

or birch@turningpointsforchil-

dren.org.

May 14-

Fundraiser for 8th Dist. Council

candidate Robin Tasco at 7165

Germantown Ave., 7 p.m.-12 a.m.

Buffet dinner and dancing. Dona-

tions $100-$1,000. For info Ros

(267) 593-1571 or www.robin-

tasco.com.

May 14-

E. Mt. Airy Neighbors hosts

Swing Into Spring at Lutheran

Theological, Brossman Bldg.,

Benbow Ha., 7301 Germantown

Ave., 7-11 p.m. Tickets $90, under

age 35 $60. For info (215) 242-

4170.

May 15-

Democrats of Oak Lane Team

present Marion Wimbush’s annual

Breakfast and Meet & Greet can-

didates at Oak Lane Diner, 6528

N. Broad St., 9 a.m.-12 m. Broad-

cast over WURD 900 AM.

May 15-

Friends of Marian Tasco present

Jazz Brunch at View, 800 N.

Broad St., 8th fl., 1-4 p.m. Entrance

on Brown Street. Featuring Sherry

Wilson Butler. $65 person. No

tickets will be sold at door. Con-

tact Jalila Brown or Nedia Ralston

(215) 437-3294.


prove our commonwealth.”

The hearing will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at the

Bucks Co. Bar Association, 135 E. State Street,

Doylestown.

The PBA Constitutional Review Commission’s Struc-

ture of the General Assembly Subcommittee is seek-

ing citizens’ input on the following issues:

The size and cost of the General Assembly

Terms of General Assembly members, including the

length of terms and term limits

Accountability of General Assembly members and

the recall process and impeachment process

The State budget process.

For more information, consult the webpages of the

PBA Constitutional Review Commission website,

www.pabarcrc.org, or contact Lindsay Still, Pennsyl-

vania Bar Ass’n, 100 South Street, PO Box 186, Har-

risburg, PA 17108, [email protected].

Prayer Breakfast Returns To 1st Dist. Plaza

DA SETH WILLIAMS greets

Dr. Paul Fink, one of 400

guests at Williams’ first an-

nual Prayer Breakfast, which

continue a tradition inaugu-

rated by former Sheriff John

Green.

CAMPAIGNING for Sheriff,

State Rep. Jewell Williams,

right, greets old friends Ethan

Thornton and R.T. Jones at

gala breakfast.


Green Hails Zoning Commission – In PartYesterday, the Zoning Code Com-

mission adopted a majority report

and a minority report for presenta-

tion to City Council as part of

Philadelphia’s ongoing zoning-re-

form process. In every City that

undertakes Zoning Code revision,

there is disagreement among rea-

sonable people about combining

textual changes in the Zoning

Code with a remapping or, instead,

passing the Code first and remap-

ping later. The minority report sug-

gests the first course, as has been

done recently in Miami and Den-

ver (described in the attached brief

summary), whereas the majority

report suggests the second course.

Councilman at Large Bill Green

joined nine members of the ZCC

in issuing the minority report to

City Council, stressing the need to

couple the Code revision with re-

vision of the City’s zoning maps.

“If the new Code is enacted prior

to redrawing the City’s zoning

maps, there could be troubling

consequences for neighborhoods,”

Green said. “The ‘automatic con-

version’ of the City’s zoning maps

that would occur under the major-

ity report’s approach would permit

the immediate liberalization of

permissible uses and major dimen-

sional changes – which would take

place citywide as soon as the new

Code becomes effective. This

means, for example, that when the

Planning Commission begins ana-

lyzing individual planning districts

for remapping purposes, it may be

confronted with new uses allowed

by the ‘automatic conversion’ that

are entirely inconsistent with how

the neighborhood should be re-

zoned – significantly undermining

the ability of the Planning Com-

mission and residents to chart a

new course for the neighborhood

through remapping.

Green said, “As a member of the

ZCC, I commend the staff of the

Zoning Code and Planning Com-

missions, my fellow members, and

the Mayor for their significant

work on this new Code. The ex-

cellent, diligent, and collaborative

work that’s been done on the pro-

posed Zoning Code over the past

three-plus years has put us in a po-

sition to enact the first major revi-

sion of the Zoning Code in almost

50 years. I look forward to moving

this process to the next step – re-

view by City Council.

“I am concerned that ‘automatic

conversion’ opens transitioning

neighborhoods to land use changes

and development that may be

wholly inconsistent with the direc-

tion the neighborhood is heading –

or where residents and planning

professionals would want it to

head – without any public input.

We want to avoid a scenario under

which speculators or other oppor-

tunists have a window of up to five

years to come into a neighborhood

and start up an inappropriate land

use that will become a vested

right.

“I intend to be Council’s strongest

advocate for moving this process

forward and for Council ultimately

enacting a transparent, sustainable,

easy-to-understand Code that en-

courages development and re-

spects the character and charm of

our neighborhoods.”

Keystone Progress Lists Progressive Picks

Keystone Progress is pleased to announce the release

of the 2011 Primary Edition of the Pennsylvania Pro-

gressive Voters Guide.

The Voters Guide is a compilation of the endorse-

ments and recommendations of progressive organiza-

tions across the state. It includes 16 groups, who have

made endorsements statewide and in 12 counties.

(Keystone Progress does not itself endorse. This Vot-

ers Guide is only a report of the endorsements of PA’s

leading progressive groups.) Please also note that

many organizations make endorsements in both the

Republican and Democratic primaries.

STATEWIDE RACES

Superior Court

David Wecht (D)

Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America

Local 13000, Allegheny Co. Labor Council, Philadel-

phia AFL-CIO, PSEA-PACE www.wecht2011.com.


Commonwealth Court

Kathryn Boockvar (D) Endorsed by: Equality PA,

Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, SEIU PA State

Council, Philadelphia AFL-CIO, Communication

Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia

Neighborhood Networks, Liberty City Democrats, PA

NOW PAC, PSEA-PACE http://www.boockvar.com/

Barbara Ernsberger (D) Endorsed by: Gertrude Stein

Political Club, Steel City Stonewall Democrats, PA

NOW PAC http://www.ernsbergerforjudge.com/

Paul Panepinto (R) Endorsed by: PSEA-PACE

http://www.judgepanepinto.com/

PHILADELPHIA ENDORSEMENTS

Philadelphia Mayor

Michael Nutter (D) Endorsed by: Philadelphia Feder-

ation of Teachers, Communication Workers of Amer-

ica Local 13000, Liberty City Democrats

Philadelphia City Commissioner

Anthony Clark (D) Endorsed by: Communication

Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFL-

CIO

Bernard B. Talmadge (D) Endorsed by: Liberty City

Democrats

Ivy Staten (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers

of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFL-CIO

Joseph Duda (R) Endorsed by Philadelphia AFL-CIO

Stephanie Singer (D) Endorsed by: Philadelphia

Neighborhood Networks, Liberty City Democrats

Philadelphia City Council, At Large

Al Taubenberger (R) Endorsed by: Philadelphia AFL-

CIO

Andy Toy (D) Endorsed by: Philadelphia Neighbor-

hood Networks, Liberty City Democrats

Bill Green (D) Endorsed by: Communication Work-

ers of America Local 13000, Liberty City Democrats,

SEIU PA State Council, Philadelphia AFL-CIO

Bill Greenlee (D) Endorsed by: Communication

Workers of America Local 13000, SEIU PA State

Council, Philadelphia AFL-CIO

Blondell Reynolds Brown (D) Endorsed by: Equality

PA, Communication Workers of America Local

13000, Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, Liberty

City Democrats, SEIU PA State Council, Philadelphia

AFL-CIO

David Oh (R) Endorsed by: Philadelphia AFL-CIO

Denny O’Brien (R) Endorsed by: Philadelphia AFL-

CIO

Ed Nesmith (D) Endorsed by: Communication Work-

ers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFL-CIO

Frank Rizzo (R) Endorsed by: Philadelphia AFL-CIO

James Kenney (D) Endorsed by: Communication

Workers of America Local 13000, Liberty City De-

mocrats

Joseph McColgan (R) Endorsed by: Philadelphia

AFL-CIO

Malcolm Lazin (R) Endorsed by: Equality PA

Sherrie Cohen (D) Endorsed by: Equality PA, Com-

munication Workers of America Local 13000,

Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, Liberty City

Democrats, SEIU PA State Council, Philadelphia

AFL-CIO

Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas

Angelo Foglietta, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democ-

rats

Barbara McDermott, Endorsed by: Liberty City De-

mocrats

Carolyn Nichols, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democ-

rats

Christopher Mallios, Endorsed by: Liberty City De-

mocrats

Daine Grey (D) Endorsed by: Communication Work-


Diana Anhalt, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democrats


Drew Aldinger, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democrats

Giovanni Campbell, Endorsed by: Liberty City De-

mocrats

James DiVergilis, (D) Endorsed by: Communication


CIO

Joe O’Neil (D) Endorsed by: Communication Work-


Jonathan Irvine (D) Endorsed by: Communication


mocrats

Leon King, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democrats

Maria McLaughlin (D) Endorsed by: Communication


CIO

Sayde Ladov (D) Endorsed by: Liberty City Democ-

rats

Sean Kennedy (D) Endorsed by: Communication


CIO

Philadelphia Municipal Court

Kenneth Powell, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democ-

rats

Michael Fanning (D) Endorsed by: Communication

Workers of America Local 13000

Philadelphia Traffic Court

Fred Mari (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers

of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFL-CIO

Robert Tuerk, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democrats

Register of Wills

Ron Donatucci (D) Endorsed by: Communication


CIO

Sheriff

Jewell Williams (D) Endorsed by: Communication


CIO

Philadelphia City Council, 1st Dist.

Jeff Hornstein (D) Endorsed by: SEIU PA State

Council

Joe Grace (D) Endorsed by: Equality PA, Liberty City

Democrats

Mark Squilla (D) Endorsed by: Communication

Workers of America Local 13000

Philadelphia City Council, 2nd Dist.

Kenyatta Johnson (D) Endorsed by: Communication


mocrats, SEIU PA State Council, Philadelphia AFL-

CIO

Philadelphia City Council, 3rd Dist.

Jannie Blackwell (D) Endorsed by: Communication


CIO

Philadelphia City Council, 4th Dist.

Curtis Jones (D) Endorsed by: Communication Work-



Darrell Clarke (D) Endorsed by: Communication


CIO


Bobby Henon (D) Endorsed by: Communication

Workers of America Local 13000, SEIU PA State

Council, Philadelphia AFL-CIO


Dan Savage (D) Endorsed by: Communication Work-

ers of America Local 13000

Maria Quiñones-Sánchez (D) Endorsed by: Philadel-

phia Neighborhood Networks, Liberty City Democ-

rats, SEIU PA State Council


Cindy Bass (D) Endorsed by: Communication Work-


ers of America Local 13000, Liberty City Democrats,

SEIU PA State Council, Philadelphia AFL-CIO


Marian Tasco (D) Endorsed by: Communication


CIO


Bill Rubin (D) Endorsed by: Communication Work-


Kensington CAPA Honored

with LEED PlatinumThe School District of Philadel-

phia has committed to building

green schools that reduce con-

sumption of water, energy, and

natural resources, while providing

a superior learning environment

for students and staff. Indication of

the District’s dedication to such ef-

forts was seen yesterday at Kens-

ington HS for the Creative &

Performing Arts, as the school was

honored for achieving Platinum

level certification under the LEED

for Schools Rating System version

2.0.

On its path towards platinum certi-

fication, Kensington CAPA trans-

formed from a brown field,

previously contaminated from the

mid-1800s, when the site was uti-

lized as the Frankford Railroad

depot, to a state-of-the-art sustain-

able school that incorporates large

areas of vegetated open space, is

21% more energy-efficient, and

boasts 33% less in utility costs.

Most importantly, the sustainable

features of Kensington CAPA have

created an optimal teaching and

learning environment in which

classrooms and core learning

spaces have improved acoustics,

and 96% of classroom and core

learning spaces achieve a 2% day-

light factor. Recent studies have

shown increased day lighting in

classrooms creates a more-produc-

tive learning environment for chil-

dren.

Kensington CAPA sets a fantastic

example for other area schools as

the 1st LEED Platinum High

School in the United States, the 1st

LEED Platinum High School in

the Commonwealth of Pennsylva-

nia, the 21st LEED Platinum

school in the United States, as well

as the 3rd LEED School in the

School District of Philadelphia.

Mayor Michael Nutter, who at-

tended the event, spoke about

Kensington’s honor, saying, “I’m

extremely proud to have the first

LEED Platinum High School in

the United States in our city.”


Farrow Receives

Marian Anderson Award

MEETING press prior

to the awards cere-

mony are (l to r) Ju-

dith Jamison,

Philadelphia native

and artistic director of

the Alvin Ailey Dance

Company, who served

as M.C. of the Marian

Anderson Award pro-

gram; Quincy Farrow,

Mia’s daughter; Mia

Farrow, award-win-

ner; Angela Brown,

operatic star; and

Pamela Browner

White, chair of Mar-

ian Anderson Award

board. Photos by Bon-nie Squires

BESTOWING Marian An-

derson Award on Mia Far-

row are, from left, Pamela

Browner White, board chair,

and Lisa Nutter, First Lady

of Philadelphia. Farrow was

honored for her humanitar-

ian efforts on behalf of belea-

guered and displaced people

of Darfur. She showed clips

from her ongoing work, TheDarfur Archives, preserving

culture of people who have

lost 90 % of their villages

and artifacts.


COUNCIL-

WOMAN Marian

Tasco, surrounded

by supporters, at-

tended Marian An-

derson gala. Jerry

Mondesire, to her

left, and E. Steven

Collins, to her

right, were among

patrons of dinner.

GUESTS IN-

CLUDED, from

left, Melissa

Fitzgerald, who

narrated videos on

Mia Farrow’s life

and accomplish-

ments, as well as

video on Marian

Anderson’s re-

markable life;

Carol Fitzgerald;

Judge Marjorie O.

Rendell; and Leslie

Stiles, vice chair of

Marian Anderson

Award board.

philadelphia daily record

Documents

excessive doddfrank

result of dodd

doddfrank regulations

consideration of dodd

china nomineeus

new rule

secretary locke todiscuss

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