PhiladelphiaDaily Record

Vol. II No. 55 (215) Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia May 2, 2011

VOLUNTEERS from Comcast turned out Saturday to spruce up schools, play-

grounds, rec centers and vacant across town, like these two hard at work at

Fairhill ES in N. Phila.. Story page 8.

They Care

2 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 2 MAY, 2011

Casey On Bin Laden:

Rejoice, But Stay AlertUS Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.),

Chairman of the Near Eastern and

South & Central Asian Affairs

Subcommittee of the Senate For-

eign Relations Committee, re-

leased the following statement

after Osama bin Laden was killed

by US forces:

“On Sep. 11, 2001, the United

States was viciously attacked in a

cowardly terrorist plot master-

minded by Osama bin Laden.

Today, US forces have killed bin

Laden and exacted justice for his

terrible crimes which killed thou-

sands. I thank our troops, the intel-

ligence community and diplomats

who have worked today and since

Sep. 11 to bring Osama bin Laden

to justice.

On Sep. 11, Pennsylvania was di-

rectly impacted by Al Qaeda when

Flight 93 was downed over

Shanksville. In the nearly ten years

after Sep. 11, Pennsylvania has

lost 68 troops in Afghanistan and

hundreds have been injured. The

sacrifice of those families who lost

loved ones on Sep. 11 and in the

following years can never be made

whole, but I hope that the death of

bin Laden can help to bring some

closure.

“While today’s development does

not mean an end to terrorism or the

need to remain relentlessly vigi-

lant, the death of bin Laden has

enormous significance in Ameri-

can and world history.”

Phila. Muslims Applaud President,

Armed ForcesIn a statement issued following President Barack

Obama’s announcement of bin Laden’s death, the

Council on American-Islamic Relations said:

“We join our fellow citizens in welcoming the an-

nouncement that Osama bin Laden has been elimi-

nated as a threat to our nation and the world through

the actions of American military personnel. As we

have stated repeatedly since the 9/11 terror attacks,

bin Laden never represented Muslims or Islam. In

fact, in addition to the killing of thousands of Ameri-

cans, he and Al Qaeda caused the deaths of countless

Muslims worldwide. We also reiterate President

Obama’s clear statement tonight that the United

States is not at war with Islam.”

“I’ll never forget the day my country was attacked so

brutally,” said Moein Khawaja, CAIR-Philadelphia

executive director. “I’ll also never forget that at the

same time, my faith and the religion of over a billion

people was tarnished in such a manner that one of the

most-recognized Muslims in the world was unfortu-

nately Osama Bin Laden. I am confident my fellow

Americans know Islam isn’t and never was Bin

Laden or his ideology, but like all religions, a path to

peace, love and justice. I applaud President Obama

and our armed forces for bringing justice to the

world.”

CAIR-Philadelphia is available for comment by call-

ing Khawaja at (217) 638-7873, or Rugiatu Conteh,

outreach & communications director, at (267) 575-

5289.

US Budget Deal

Axes Area Housing

Counselors

Among the funding cuts included in the deal between

President Barack Obama and the Republican House

majority to reduce the current fiscal year’s federal

budget is the elimination of funding for housing-

counseling programs in Philadelphia and throughout

the nation.

The $88 million network includes about 30 organiza-

2 MAY, 2011 THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD | 3

tions throughout the Philadelphia area, approved by

the US Dept. of Housing & Urban Development, that

provide financial education, homeownership and

mortgage assistance, foreclosure prevention and other

services to over 5,000 individuals and families annu-

ally.

Several of the counseling groups sent a letter this

week to members of the House and Senate, urging

lawmakers to restore the money. They include the Na-

tional Urban League, the National Neighborworks

Association, and the National Community Reinvest-

ment Coalition among others.

“Not only does this program provide financial sup-

port, it sets the organizational standards for delivering

quality services,” the groups said. “Further, these cuts

will have a devastating impact on the families that

rely on these programs for support.”

The program cuts include those for first-time home-

buyer counseling and reverse-mortgage counseling

for senior homeowners. Other programs include

counseling for people transitioning out of homeown-

ership through foreclosure and into rentals and coun-

seling for delinquent borrowers.

“This is the primary funding for homebuyer counsel-

ing, post-purchase non-delinquency counseling such

as refinance and home repair loans, and reverse mort-

gage counseling,” said Bruce Dorpalen, a spokesman

for Affordable Housing Centers of America. “In fact,

Congress mandated that reverse mortgage counseling

is a requirement for receiving a reverse mortgage, but

the funding is now cut off.”

Critics aren’t so sure these services have been fruitful

enough.

“It’s not clear to me what we’ve gotten for our

money,” said Mark Calabria, director of financial reg-

ulations studies at the CATO Institute, a public policy

research organization. “Every dollar of taxpayer

money should have some accountability … we have

to ask whether they’ve been effective.”

Helpline For Former AdultBasic

Recipients Near ShutdownPeople who have lost health cover-

age as a result of the termination

of the State’s adultBasic health

plan can get help on other options

that may be available for them by

calling the adultBasic Helpline,

(800) GO-BASIC. But they are

facing a crucial deadline today.

The adultBasic program had of-

fered health coverage to approxi-

mately 41,000 uninsured

Pennsylvanians who had modest

incomes but did not qualify for

Medical Assistance. Available

funding expired Feb. 28. It had

been funded by a combination of

tobacco-settlement revenues and

donations from the state’s four

Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans.

The Blue Cross/Blue Shield com-

panies that had previously spon-

sored adultBasic have agreed to

waive their normal coverage re-

strictions on pre-existing condi-

tions for people moving from

adultBasic to the Blues’ Special-

Care plans. Former adultBasic

members who enroll directly into

SpecialCare by May 2 will have no

condition exclusions. After that

date, preexisting conditions may

not be covered.

Also, former enrollees whose in-

comes have decreased, who have

become disabled or have had sig-

nificant health conditions develop

since their most recent application

or renewal for adultBasic are being

encouraged to look at the State’s

Medical Assistance options.

4 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 2 MAY, 2011

When You Want Your Roof To Be Done Right The First Time

215-464-6425

2024 S. 10th St

Philadelphia PA 19148

215-468-5363

Meat

& DeliPrego Pizzelle Baker $29.99

Uno Panini Grill $39.99

CANDIDATES • POLITICIANSNews You Can Use!

Boost Your Popularity, Win On Election Day!

Tell Your Constituents To Read About

All the Work You Do For Them On the

Philadelphiadailyrecord.comEmail them a copy of this Publication!

Translation/InterpretationArabic, Hebrew, English, French

For more information, call William Hanna

267-808-0287

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 2-

Former Governor and Homeland

Security Secretary Tom Ridge will

be special guest at fundraiser for

GOP Council at-Large candidate

David Oh, Esq., at Union League,

140 S. Broad St., 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Requested contribution $150 per

person, or $250 per couple. RSVP

or for additional info Eunice Lee

(215) 561-2000.

May 2-

“Taste of South Philly”, hosted by

Bob & Debbie Pantano, Millay

Club, and Alumni fundraiser for

SS. John Neumann & Maria

Goretti Catholic HS. $40. Pier 1,

Phila. Cruise Terminal, 5100 S.

Broad St. Bldg. 3, 6-10 p.m. For

info Dorothy Longo (215) 465-

8457, ext. 229.

May 3-

Cocktail Reception for Republi-

can Councilmanic candidate

Michael Untermeyer at home of

Michael A. Cibik, Esq., 334 S.

Front St. Donations $100-$2,600.

For info Judy Camiel (610) 304-

0471 or email j.camiel@com-

cast.net.

May 3- Fundraiser for

PhillySpells Writing Lab non-

profit, featuring local author Lisa

Scottoline at Loews Hotel, 1200

Market St., 7:30 pm. Tickets $80

at door or $70 purchased via Pay

Pal at www.phillySpells.org/store.

May 3- Jagiellonian Law

Society of Polish-American

lawyers presents 1-hr. program,

“Challenges to Collective Bar-

gaining in the European Union &

United States,” at Loews Hotel, 6

p.m., followed by a dinner (op-

tional). For info (215) 862-4390

or go to www.jagiellonianlawsoci-

ety.org.

May 4- Labor Breakfast

for judicial candidate Jim Di-

Vergilis at DC 21, 2980

Southampton Rd., 8 a.m.

May 4- Historical Marker

Dedication for Moyamensing

Prison at 1400 S. 10th St., 12 m.

For info Celeste Morello (215)

334-6008.

May 4-

Phila. Jobs With Justice honors

AFL-CIO Political Dir. Liz McEl-

roy, SEIU organizer Cathy Brady,

union activist Jim Moran and ILA

Local 1291 at William Way Com-

munity Center, 1315 Spruce St.,

5:30 p.m.

May 4-

Fundraiser for Derrick Coker, can-

didate for MC Judge, at New Pal-

ladium, 22 W. Allegheny Ave.,

5:30-8:30 p.m.

May 4-

Fundraiser for Traffic Ct. candi-

date Harmonia Club, 2404 Ortho-

dox St., 5:30-8 p.m. Co-Host

$1,000, Supporter $500, $50

Friend. For info (215) 728-1484.

May 4-

Fundraiser for State Rep. Rosita

Youngblood at Finnigan’s Wake,

3rd & Spring Garden Sts., 7-9:30

p.m. Dinner and open bar $75. For

info (215) 745-4306.

May 4- Programs Employ-

ing People marks 41st year serving

people with intellectual disabili-

ties is holding 5th annual plant sale

at Broad & Federal Sts., 9 a.m.-6

p.m. This sale is a fund raiser for

PEP’s vital services.

May 5-

Fundraiser for Derrick Coker For

Municipal Court at New Palla-

dium, 229 W. Allegheny Ave.,

5:30-8:30 p.m. For info Iliana

Renoso (215) 740-5273.

2 MAY, 2011 THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD | 5

School District Will Hold

Community Meetings On Budget

Beginning tomorrow, May 3, the School District will

host a series of public meetings to gather community

feedback on the District’s proposed Fiscal Year 2011-

12 Unified Operating Budget. During these meetings,

the District will outline the proposed budget for the

2011-12 school year, including details of how it plans

to address the funding shortfall anticipated due to

proposed education funding cuts at the State level,

loss of federal stimulus money and increased operat-

ing expenses.

The general public, parents, teachers, students and all

stakeholders are encouraged to attend. Community

budget meetings will be held at the following loca-

tions: Tuesday, May 3 at 6:00 p.m., Meredith ES 725

S. 5th Street; Saturday, May 7 at 10:00 a.m., Dunbar

ES, 1750 N.12th Street; Monday, May 9 at 6:00 p.m.,

Conwell MS, 1849 East Clearfield Street; Saturday,

May 14 at 10:00 a.m., Catherine ES, 6600 Chester

Avenue; Wednesday, May 16 at 6:00 p.m., Fitzpatrick

ES, 11061 Knights Road; and Thursday, May 19 at

6:00 p.m., Ellwood ES, 6701 N. 13th Street.

The School Reform Commission is expected to adopt

a final budget on May 31.

PHA Employees, Residents Work

Together To Beautify Neighborhoods

Employees of the Philadelphia

Housing Authority dressed in

“business casual” Friday as they

joined with residents to clean and

brighten 14 public-housing sites

across the city.

The agency held “Families Work-

ing for Families Day” as part of

PHA’s commitment to get back to

the basics of service and focus on

its core business of property man-

agement and maintenance. Resi-

dents joined in the effort to

beautify the agency’s older hous-

ing sites. Location assignments

were handed out to employees

prior to today’s event.

PHA’s Administrative Receiver

Michael Kelly put out the call for

this spring cleaning event involv-

ing all employees two weeks ago.

He created the event as a great

way to demonstrate service to the

community, while letting employ-

ees get better acquainted with each

other outside the office or recon-

nect with other employees.

“Based on some listening sessions

with residents, it’s clear to us that

they appreciate clean, bright, at-

tractive sites,” Kelly said. “For our

part, we’ve made it clear during

our talks with them it’s important

to maintain what we have, because

we cannot build new housing at

every location.”

Kelly also said good property

management demands regular

painting, cleaning, planting and

greening.

PHA has long held the belief that

when its developments sparkle, the

surrounding neighborhoods bene-

fit, too, through improved property

values.

6 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 2 MAY, 2011

TWO P.H.A. em-

ployees paint fence

at Harrison Plaza

on N. 10th St. as

part of PHA’s

“Families Working

for Families Day.

P.H.A. ADMINISTRATIVE RECEIVER Michael Kelly, center, urges agency employees working on

lawn at Fairhill Apartments, located just north of Temple University campus, to maintain homes well.

2 MAY, 2011 THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD | 7

P.H.A. WORK-

ERS touch up

seating outside

Bartram Village

in S.W. Phila.

Event was based

on recent listening

sessions with resi-

dents who said

they appreciate

clean, bright, at-

tractive sites.

Creek Gets A Spring Cleanup Too

OVER 300 VOLUNTEERS worked throughout Saturday morning pulling trash and debris out of Wis-

sahickon Creek during Annual Creek Clean Up, organized by the Friends of the Wissahickon and Wis-

sahickon Valley Watershed Association. Among volunteers were employees from Prudential Fox &

Roach Trident Group, students from Germantown Friends School’s Environmental Action Club, and

employees from REI Conshohocken, a sponsor of cleanup in Wissahickon Valley Park. They cleaned

creek, surrounding trails and many tributaries. Unusual items were collected, including a couch, play-

house, deep-fat fryer, I-Phone, bike frame and countless golf balls. “The most interesting thing found in

Wissahickon Valley Park was a huge carpet,” says David Bower, volunteer coordinator for Fairmount

Park.

8 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 2 MAY, 2011

Comcast, Other Groups Work

To Clean Up CityPHILA. Deputy

Managing Dir.

John L. Farrell;

Coach Sonny

Moore of Over-

brook Mon-

archs Youth

Athletic Associ-

ation; Sheila

Washington of

Friends of

Haddington Li-

brary; Mon-

archs’ mascot;

Mayor Michael

Nutter; Catie

Wolfgang; and

Comcast Re-

gional Senior

VP Amy Smith

at the Granahan

Recreation Cen-

ter in W. Phila.

On Saturday, 250 volunteers from Comcast,

PhillyRising and SERVE Philadelphia turned out to

revitalize rec centers, vacant lots and other public

sites across Philadelphia.

PhillyRising, a pilot program created by Mayor Nut-

ter and dedicated to improving public safety and the

quality of life in Philadelphia’s distressed neighbor-

hoods, designated these locations for the Comcast

Cares Day project. SERVE Philadelphia, an initiative

designed to increase service and volunteerism in

Philadelphia, will help to organize volunteers on site.

SERVE Philadelphia is an initiative launched by

Mayor Nutter to dramatically increase service and

volunteerism in Philadelphia. Its goals are to create or

elevate volunteer opportunities that impact educa-

tional outcomes and contribute to community vitality,

make it easier for citizens of every age to volunteer

and to support both public- and private-sector efforts

to engage more volunteers in ways that have the

greatest impact.

The PhillyRising Collaborative is a new program that

targets neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia that

are plagued by chronic crime and quality-of-life prob-

lems that require a coordinated, multi-agency and

community response. The primary objectives of

PhillyRising are to help those living and working in

neighborhoods to realize their vision for their com-

munity, and build sustainable, responsive solutions to

the concerns of people living and working in each

neighborhood.

This year, approximately 62,000 volunteers partici-

pated in an expected 620 projects nationwide on

Comcast Cares Day, making it one of the largest sin-

gle-day corporate volunteer efforts in the country.

2 MAY, 2011 THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD | 9

Tasco Tours The Town

FEASTING AFTER her motorcade through 8th Council Dist. in N. and N.W. Phila., candidate Robin

Tasco treated her supporters to a barbecue in Germantown.

10,000

PHILADEWL-

PHIANS took a

10K run, walk or

stroll along Broad

Street on Saturday

as part of a time-

honored Philadel-

phia tradition.

Broad St. Ran