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(04/24/92 9:00am)
Voters will cast their ballots Tuesday in the Pennsylvania primary to determine who will be the final candidates in the heated race for a seat in the United States Senate. In addition, Pennsylvanians will vote for candidates looking to gain seats in the United States House of Representatives, as well as in other federal offices including Auditor General of Pennsylvania, Attorney General of Pennsylvania and State Treasurer. Pennsylvania's presidential primary election will also be an important key in deciding which candidates will be selected as Democratic and Republican nominees for president at this summer's national conventions. In the senate race, two Republicans are competing for the party's nomination. Arlen Specter, the incumbent candidate, is currently serving in his second term as U.S. Senator. Specter, a University graduate and a graduate of Yale Law School, served as District Attorney of Philadelphia and also served on the Warren Commission to Investigate the Assassination of President John Kennedy. Specter developed the single bullet theory of the assassination that recently came under debate for its legitimacy after the recent release of Oliver Stone's film JFK, which debunks the single bullet theory. As District Attorney, Specter helped restore the death penalty in Pennsylvania. As Senator, he helped pass laws such as the Terrorist Prosecution Act and helped establish an Inspector General for the CIA, an act emerging from the Iran-Contra affair. Specter is also an advocate of legislation that would grant individuals access to federal courts to halt the import of products in violation with the U.S. trade laws. Recently, Specter attracted questions based on the manner in which he behaved while on the Senate committee that questioned Anita Hill during the Judge Clarence Thomas hearings. Specter's opponent is Stephen Freind, a 16-year member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature who labels himself as having "strong conservative voice." Freind may be best known to University students for his leadership in opposing abortion rights and for his authorship of the 1989 Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act which made Pennsylvania the first state to pass legislation limiting the right to have an abortion. The Supreme Court began hearings on an appeal of the Act yesterday to determine its constitutionality. According to a press release, Freind believes it is "illogical for a society to protect seals, whales and snail darters and yet permit the killing of 1.5 million innocent unborn children every year." In addition, Freind supports an immediate federal tax cut which, he believes, would stabilize the economy, and as a member of the state legislature he opposes Governor William Casey's tax proposal. He supports immediate federal spending cuts on social programs. And Freind supports free trade only if the country with which the United States is trading imposes no trade barriers on American products. Freind is a graduate of Villanova University and Temple Law School. He served as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and as assistant district attorney of Philadelphia under District Attorney Arlen Specter. He also owns his own law practice. Five candidates are facing off in the Democratic primary -- Robert Colville, Frederica Mann Friedman, Mark Singel, Philip Valenti and Lynn Yeakel. Lynn Yeakel, a Philadelphia native who is running in her first campaign for an elected office, said her goal is "getting Pennsylvania to work again for all of us." In her Economic Plan for the 1990's, she outlines six steps she believes the federal government must take to "get the nation working again." The plan promotes a tax reform, which would include raising taxes on the wealthiest one percent of Americans and making sure the middle class gets services for their money, as its first step. The reform opposes an across-the-board capital gains tax and encourages targeted tax incentives for businesses. Other steps include supporting a national health care system in which patients are free to choose their physicians and hospitals. She believes that the health care and insurance systems need to be streamlined. The final steps in her economic plan are providing more jobs to the unemployed by allocating more federal funds for infrastructure needs, increasing the federal government's investments in state and local governments and supporting free trade while supporting American industries from unfair subsidizing of the interntional competition. Yeakel, a graduate of Randolph-Macon Women's College, is the president of Women's Way, a coalition of organizations that raise funds to help women and their families. Mayor Edward Rendell endorsed Bob Colville for United States Senate seat on Monday. In a letter written in January, Colville said he decided to run because he wants dedicate himself to the "restoration of economic stability." The ex-marine is currently the district attorney of Allegheny County, and he has also served as the chief of police of Pittsburgh. In the letter, Colville, who is a graduate of Duquesne University and Duquesne University School of Law, said he supports education for the American dream. Lieutenant Governor Mark Singel is another candidate on the Democratic ticket. Singel said he believes that "Washington has turned its back on state and local governments over the past 12 years," according to a press releases. Singel is known for his work on environmental and energy issues. He worked for a state energy policy which stresses conservation, research and development of safer, cleaner alternative fuels. The Penn State University graduate also served on the Pennsylvania State Senate for two terms and has served as lieutenant governor since 1986. Philip Valenti, who is an ardent follower of Lyndon LaRouche, is another candidate running for the Democratic nomination. Valenti said his "main concern" is giving people an opportunity to vote against the current economic program and reverse the economic depression. He supports Congress nationlizing the Federal Reserve System to create a fund of at least $600 billion for low cost lending to states, cities and public authorities for building the large scale infrastructure projects including railroads, power projects, nuclear fission and fusion and water projects. He added that these projects would create jobs and tax payers and will not raise taxes or budgets. He believes the "moral collapse" of America began the same way as it did in Nazi Germany. He said the collapse began with the devaluing of human life including abortion, euthanasia and promoting genocide by not supporting more research and funding of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. "To be pro-life is not sufficient," Valenti said. "We must also provide productive employment so families can be raised decently." He most recently helped form opposition to the Gulf War and helped dairy farmers stop foreclosures on their farms and send milk powder to children in Iraq. Valenti is a graduate of Queens College in New York City. The final candidate running for Senate, Frederica Mann Friedman, could not be reached for comment. Six candidates are running for Auditor General, two Republicans -- Barbara Hafer and Jack Bower -- and four Democrats -- Craig Lewis, Roy Afflerbach, John O'Brien and Don Bailey. Only three candidates are competing for the Attorney General position -- Republican Ernie Preate and Democrats Joe Kohn and Richard Orloski. Only one candidate from each party is running for State Treasurer -- Republican Lowman Henry and Democrat Catherine Baker Knoll. Running unopposed for the three spots on the Republican ticket for representative to the United States Congress are Craig Snyder, Larry Hollin and Charles Dougherty. Thomas Foglietta and Robert Borski are running unopposed on the Democratic ticket for representative in Congress. The only Congressional District with competition in the Democratic primary will be between Lucien Blackwell and Delores Tucker in District Two.
(04/23/92 9:00am)
JOSHUA GOLDWERT and SHELLEY TABOR A man was shot and killed in front of the McDonald's restaurant at 40th and Walnut streets after a high speed car chase last night. The unidentified victim was pronounced dead at 10:49 p.m., 24 minutes after police brought him to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. University and Philadelphia Police released only sketchy details last night. Eyewitness accounts conflict, but a rough picture of what happened has emerged. Shooting erupted at approximately 10:25 p.m. in front of McDonald's. A man in a white sweatsuit got out of his 1985 black Chevrolet Blazer parked on 40th Street and stood on the corner of 40th and Walnut streets, eyewitnesses said. The man then fired a semi-automatic weapon at a blue Lincoln Mark VII, which was on Walnut Street facing west. After the driver of the Lincoln was shot, he turned and began driving his car down 40th Street towards Smokey Joe's Tavern. After he spotted a police officer, he backed up onto Walnut Street and began moving west. At this point, the man who fired the shots at the Lincoln got into his Blazer and followed the Lincoln west on Walnut Street. The victim's car stopped in the middle of the left lane at the intersection of 42nd and Walnut streets with a bullet hole in the rear passenger side window and a flat right rear tire. It is unclear whether the police stopped the Lincoln or if the driver pulled over himself. The Blazer continued driving on Walnut Street, witnesses said. Police then took the driver of the Lincoln to HUP in the back seat of a police car. According to Philadelphia Police Homicide Division Lieutenant Robert Hicks, no suspects were found last night. Around 25 city and University officers arrived at the 42nd and Walnut streets location soon after the Lincoln stopped. Police officers brought at least one suspect to the scene and several witnesses to identify the suspect, but nobody taken to 42nd and Walnut streets was deemed involved in the incident and all were released immediately. Soon after the Walnut Street incident, the officers reported an accident over the police scanner at 48th and Wyalusing streets also involving a black Blazer. They brought the driver of the Blazer to 42nd and Walnut streets, but released him after witnesses said he was not involved. According to conversations between squad cars on the police scanner last night, no weapons were recovered from either corner, although many bullet shells were seen at 40th and Walnut streets. The conversations between officers immediately after the incident indicated that there was some confusion about what had occurred. At some point, an officer requested that chalk be sent to 40th and Walnut streets, and later, officers were unsure if anyone had been injured in the shooting. According to eyewitness College senior Larry Altenburg, who was in Baskin Robbins at the time of the incident, the two cars were stopped in front of the store before the shooting. Altenburg said the men in the cars began yelling at each other and then he heard approximately eight gun shots. "[The gun shots] sounded like a semi-automatic nine millimeter gun that I used to shoot in the Air Force," Altenburg said. "I yelled to everybody to get down." Altenburg said he saw shots between the cars as well. Altenburg said he then called 911. Another eyewitness who did not want to be identified said the man in a white sweat suit fired shots from the corner of McDonald's towards Burger King across the street. The witness, who was standing in the parking lot next to The Daily Pennsylvanian building at 4015 Walnut Street, said he "hit the deck" when he heard the shots. He added that he then heard car tires squealing. College senior John Grugen said he heard "automatic gunfire" from inside his house at 4036 Walnut Street and then looked out his window. According to Grugen and his housemate Engineering senior Joel Frauenhein, the Lincoln drove down 40th Street towards Smokey Joe's when it spotted a police car. Grugen said the Lincoln backed up onto Walnut Street, at which point the Blazer turned onto Walnut Street to follow the Lincoln. Grugen said he then heard "many shots." Several nine millimeter bullet shells were found on the sidewalk at the corner of 40th and Walnut streets. The Blazer's lights were off during the shooting, Grugen added. After the shooting, many University and Philadelphia police officers in uniform and plain clothes arrived at the scene. In addition, traffic was slowed almost to a halt at 42nd and Walnut Streets. The sidewalk around McDonald's was blocked off by police until at least 1:30 a.m. last night. Philadelphia Police Sergeant McCorriston said that when police arrived at 42nd and Walnut streets, the victim in the Lincoln was shot and unconsious. Police immediately took the victim to HUP.
(04/23/92 9:00am)
Voters will cast their ballots Tuesday in the Pennsylvania primary to determine who will be the final candidates in the heated race for a seat in the United States Senate. In addition, Pennsylvanians will vote for candidates looking to gain seats in the United States House of Representatives, as well as in other federal offices including Auditor General of Pennsylvania, Attorney General of Pennsylvania and State Treasurer. Pennsylvania's presidential primary election will also be an important key in deciding which candidates will be selected as Democratic and Republican nominees for president at this summer's national conventions. In the senate race, two Republicans are competing for the party's nomination. Arlen Specter, the incumbent candidate, is currently serving in his second term as U.S. Senator. Specter, a University graduate and a graduate of Yale Law School, served as District Attorney of Philadelphia and also served on the Warren Commission to Investigate the Assassination of President John Kennedy. Specter developed the single bullet theory of the assassination that recently came under debate for its legitimacy after the recent release of Oliver Stone's film JFK, which debunks the single bullet theory. As District Attorney, Specter helped restore the death penalty in Pennsylvania. As Senator, he helped pass laws such as the Terrorist Prosecution Act and helped establish an Inspector General for the CIA, an act emerging from the Iran-Contra affair. Specter is also an advocate of legislation that would grant individuals access to federal courts to halt the import of products in violation with the U.S. trade laws. Recently, Specter attracted questions based on the manner in which he behaved while on the Senate committee that questioned Anita Hill during the Judge Clarence Thomas hearings. Specter's opponent is Stephen Freind, a 16-year member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature who labels himself as having "strong conservative voice." Freind may be best known to University students for his leadership in opposing abortion rights and for his authorship of the 1989 Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act which made Pennsylvania the first state to pass legislation limiting the right to have an abortion. The Supreme Court began hearings on an appeal of the Act yesterday to determine its constitutionality. According to a press release, Freind believes it is "illogical for a society to protect seals, whales and snail darters and yet permit the killing of 1.5 million innocent unborn children every year." In addition, Freind supports an immediate federal tax cut which, he believes, would stabilize the economy, and as a member of the state legislature he opposes Governor William Casey's tax proposal. He supports immediate federal spending cuts on social programs. And Freind supports free trade only if the country with which the United States is trading imposes no trade barriers on American products. Freind is a graduate of Villanova University and Temple Law School. He served as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and as assistant district attorney of Philadelphia under District Attorney Arlen Specter. He also owns his own law practice. Five candidates are facing off in the Democratic primary -- Robert Colville, Frederica Mann Friedman, Mark Singel, Philip Valenti and Lynn Yeakel. Lynn Yeakel, a Philadelphia native who is running in her first campaign for an elected office, said her goal is "getting Pennsylvania to work again for all of us." In her Economic Plan for the 1990's, she outlines six steps she believes the federal government must take to "get the nation working again." The plan promotes a tax reform, which would include raising taxes on the wealthiest one percent of Americans and making sure the middle class gets services for their money, as its first step. The reform opposes an across-the-board capital gains tax and encourages targeted tax incentives for businesses. Other steps include supporting a national health care system in which patients are free to choose their physicians and hospitals. She believes that the health care and insurance systems need to be streamlined. The final steps in her economic plan are providing more jobs to the unemployed by allocating more federal funds for infrastructure needs, increasing the federal government's investments in state and local governments and supporting free trade while supporting American industries from unfair subsidizing of the interntional competition. Yeakel, a graduate of Randolph-Macon Women's College, is the president of Women's Way, a coalition of organizations that raise funds to help women and their families. Mayor Edward Rendell endorsed Bob Colville for United States Senate seat on Monday. In a letter written in January, Colville said he decided to run because he wants dedicate himself to the "restoration of economic stability." The ex-marine is currently the district attorney of Allegheny County, and he has also served as the chief of police of Pittsburgh. In the letter, Colville, who is a graduate of Duquesne University and Duquesne University School of Law, said he supports education for the American dream. Lieutenant Governor Mark Singel is another candidate on the Democratic ticket. Singel said he believes that "Washington has turned its back on state and local governments over the past 12 years," according to a press releases. Singel is known for his work on environmental and energy issues. He worked for a state energy policy which stresses conservation, research and development of safer, cleaner alternative fuels. The Penn State University graduate also served on the Pennsylvania State Senate for two terms and has served as lieutenant governor since 1986. Philip Valenti, who is an ardent follower of Lyndon LaRouche, is another candidate running for the Democratic nomination. Valenti said his "main concern" is giving people an opportunity to vote against the current economic program and reverse the economic depression. He supports Congress nationlizing the Federal Reserve System to create a fund of at least $600 billion for low cost lending to states, cities and public authorities for building the large scale infrastructure projects including railroads, power projects, nuclear fission and fusion and water projects. He added that these projects would create jobs and tax payers and will not raise taxes or budgets. He believes the "moral collapse" of America began the same way as it did in Nazi Germany. He said the collapse began with the devaluing of human life including abortion, euthanasia and promoting genocide by not supporting more research and funding of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. "To be pro-life is not sufficient," Valenti said. "We must also provide productive employment so families can be raised decently." He most recently helped form opposition to the Gulf War and helped dairy farmers stop foreclosures on their farms and send milk powder to children in Iraq. Valenti is a graduate of Queens College in New York City. The final candidate running for Senate, Frederica Mann Friedman, could not be reached for comment. Six candidates are running for Auditor General, two Republicans -- Barbara Hafer and Jack Bower -- and four Democrats -- Craig Lewis, Roy Afflerbach, John O'Brien and Don Bailey. Only three candidates are competing for the Attorney General position -- Republican Ernie Preate and Democrats Joe Kohn and Richard Orloski. Only one candidate from each party is running for State Treasurer -- Republican Lowman Henry and Democrat Catherine Baker Knoll. Running unopposed for the three spots on the Republican ticket for representative to the United States Congress are Craig Snyder, Larry Hollin and Charles Dougherty. Thomas Foglietta and Robert Borski are running unopposed on the Democratic ticket for representative in Congress. The only Congressional District with competition in the Democratic primary will be between Lucien Blackwell and Delores Tucker in District Two.
(04/22/92 9:00am)
Many members of the University community will pay close attention to oral arguments in a United States Supreme Court case challenging the constitutionality of Pennsylvania's Abortion Control Act today. Should the Court declare the 1989 Abortion Control Act constitutional, it could overturn Roe vs. Wade, making abortion harder to acquire for women in Pennsylvania. But students on both sides of the abortion debate expect the Act to be upheld -- possibly moving the battlefield over abortion rights to state capitals and Congress. The Supreme Court is expected to render a decision in July. Some are particularly interested in the case because Kathryn Kolbert, a lecturer at the Law School, will argue on behalf of abortion-rights supporters in the case, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania vs. Casey. The Pennyslvania Abortion Control Act would place four restrictions on women who are seeking abortions. The Act would require women to wait 24 hours after a counseling session before obtaining an abortion. In addition, the Act would mandate that the same doctor who performs the abortion must counsel the woman seeking the abortion. The third provision of the Act would require minors to seek written permission from their legal guardians for an abortion. Finally, the Act would require married women to receive written permission from their husbands before obtaining an abortion. The Act was written by Republican Pennsylvania State Legislature member Stephen Freind, who is currently running for a United State Senate seat, and was approved by the General Assembly. After traveling through appeals in Pennsylvania and Federal Courts, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals rendered a mixed decision -- upholding all parts of the Act except the provision which requires spousal permission as constitutional. Leaders of both sides of the abortion issue think the Supreme Court will uphold the Act. "I would like to see the Supreme Court overturn what the appeals court has ruled, but I don't think that will happen," Raji Jagadeesan, president of Penn Pro-Choice, said yesterday. "Although the defense lawyers are going to be great, I don't think it is enough to change the majority opinion on the Court." But Jagadeesan said she thought the Court will rule the spousal support provision unconstitutional. Kevin Welch, co-president of Penn Coalition for Life and an Engineering freshman, said that the spousal support provision should be ruled constitutional. "I think that the finding of Federal Court that spousal support is unconstitutional is itself unconstitutional," Welch said. "He [the husband] should be allowed to know what his wife is doing with the unborn child." Welch added that if the Supreme Court upholds the Act it could mean two things. "[Upholding the Act] could be the start of stripping down Roe vs. Wade," Welch said. "Or it could just mean the Supreme Court will uphold Roe vs. Wade but restrict abortion." Jagadeesan added that she believes allowing any part of the Act to pass will weaken and eliminate the intent of Roe vs. Wade. She also said upholding the law will encourage the General Assembly to limit access to abortions even further. "Casey and his henchmen in the State Legislature will do anything they can to prevent women from getting abortions," Jagadeesan said. "[Upholding the Act] is an incentive to pass more restrictive laws." Welch said he thought other conservative states will begin passing abortion restricting laws if the Act is upheld. Pennsylvania is the first state in the United States to pass such restrictive laws, although U.S. posessions have also passed strict laws. Jagadeesan added that the movement of supporters of abortion rights is gaining momentum at the University because of the jeopardy of Roe vs. Wade. "When I came to Penn, there wasn't much of a pro-choice movement," she said. "In three years, it has grown as a direct response [to the passing of legislature to restrict abortions]." She added that the elections in the fall will be crucial to the abortion issue. "In terms of courts, the pro-chioce movement is straining to find any friends," she said. "[Supporters of abortion rights] have to look to the legislature and the White House for support." Welch said that regardless of the Supreme Court's decision "there is bound to be an uproar on whichever side loses."
(04/21/92 9:00am)
Many members of the University community will pay close attention to oral arguments in a United States Supreme Court case challenging the constitutionality of Pennsylvania's Abortion Control Act today. Should the Court declare the 1989 Abortion Control Act constitutional, it could overturn Roe vs. Wade, making abortion harder to acquire for women in Pennsylvania. But students on both sides of the abortion debate expect the Act to be upheld -- possibly moving the battlefield over abortion rights to state capitals and Congress. The Supreme Court is expected to render a decision in July. Some are particularly interested in the case because Kathryn Kolbert, a lecturer at the Law School, will argue on behalf of abortion-rights supporters in the case, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania vs. Casey. The Pennyslvania Abortion Control Act would place four restrictions on women who are seeking abortions. The Act would require women to wait 24 hours after a counseling session before obtaining an abortion. In addition, the Act would mandate that the same doctor who performs the abortion must counsel the woman seeking the abortion. The third provision of the Act would require minors seek written permission from their legal guardians for an abortion. Finally, the Act would require married women to receive written permision from their husbands before obtaining an abortion. The Act was written by Republican Pennsylvania State Legislature member Stephen Freind, who is currently running for a United State Senate seat, and was approved by the General Assembly. After traveling through appeals in Pennsylvania and Federal Courts, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals rendered a mixed decision -- upholding all parts of the Act except the provision which requires spousal permission as constitutional. Leaders of both sides of the abortion issue think the Supreme Court will uphold the Act. "I would like to see the Supreme Court overturn what the appeals court has ruled, but I don't think that will happen," Raji Jagadeesan, president of Penn Pro-Choice, said yesterday. "Although the defense lawyers are going to be great, I don't think it is enough to change the majority opinion on the Court." But Jagadeesan said she thought the Court will rule the spousal support provision unconstitutional. Kevin Welch, co-president of Penn Coalition for Life and an Engineering freshman, said that the spousal support provision should be ruled constitutional. "I think that the finding of Federal Court that spousal support is unconstitutional is itself unconstitutional," Welch said. "He [the husband] should be allowed to know what his wife is doing with the unborn child." Welch added that if the Supreme Court upholds the Act it could mean two things. "[Upholding the Act] could be the start of stripping down Roe vs. Wade," Welch said. "Or it could just mean the Supreme Court will uphold Roe vs. Wade but restrict abortion." Jagadeesan added that she believes allowing any part of the Act to pass will weaken and eliminate the intent of Roe vs. Wade. She also said upholding the law will encourage the General Assembly to limit access to abortions even further. "Casey and his henchmen in the State Legislature will do anything they can to prevent women from getting abortions," Jagadeesan said. "[Upholding the Act] is an incentive to pass more restrictive laws." Welch said he thought other conservative states will begin passing abortion restricting laws if the Act is upheld. Pennsylvania is the first state in the United States to pass such restrictive laws, although U.S. posessions have also passed strict laws. Jagadeesan added that the movement of supporters of abortion rights is gaining momentum at the University because of the jeopardy of Roe vs. Wade. "When I came to Penn, there wasn't much of a pro-choice movement," she said. "In three years, it has grown as a direct response [to the passing of legislature to restrict abortions]." She added that the elections in the fall will be crucial to the aboriton issue. "In terms of courts, the pro-chioce movement is straining to find any friends," she said. "[Supporters of abortion rights] have to look to the legislature and the White House for support." Welch said that regardless of the Supreme Court's decision "there is bound to be an uproar on whichever side loses."
(04/03/92 10:00am)
President George Bush will be making a short stop on his campaign trail today in Philadelphia. Bush is scheduled to speak to the members of the Federalist Society at Old Congress Hall in the House of Representatives Chamber at 10:25 a.m. His speech is expected to last 25 minutes. He will arrive aboard Air Force One at Philadelphia International Airport at 9:50 a.m. and depart at 11:45 a.m. The past two times Bush has visited Philadelphia, members of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power and other groups has protested his visits. When Bush visited in the fall ACTUP protesters clashed with police. Violence broke out when 20 ACTUP members pushed their way through barricades. According to witness reports and an internal investigation, police officers used their nightsticks to hit protestors in their heads and bodies. Four police officers and two protestors were injured. According to ACTUP member Scott Tucker, the group will be protesting today. "We don't have any civil disobedience planned," Tucker said. "Our intent is to focus on health care, changing the economy to fund human needs and sex education for all young people including handing out condoms in the schools."
(04/02/92 10:00am)
Live from Irvine Auditorium.... It's Anita Hill. University of Oklahoma Law Professor Anita Hill's lecture on Saturday will be broadcast live from Irvine Auditorium to Meyerson Hall, in response to the "outpouring of enthusiasm" on campus for Hill, Carroll Smith-Rosenberg, director of the Women's Studies Program, said yesterday. Smith-Rosenberg said that 430 seats will be available in Meyerson B-1 on a first-come-first-served basis. The doors will open at 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, she said, and Hill's lecture will begin at 5 p.m. Attendees need valid University identification to be admitted, Smith-Rosenberg added. She said the University decided to set up closed-circuit television for the lecture after University community members quickly snatched-up the 900 tickets that were available to hear Hill's speech in Irvine. Connaissance members gave away tickets yesterday and Monday on a first-come-first-served basis. After ticket supplies were diminished, Smith-Rosenberg said, University members from "alumni to members of the cleaning staff" began requesting access to Hill's speech. "I believe what has happened is a greater response [to Hill's visit] than anticipated," said Barbara Cassel, executive assistant to the Vice Provost for University Life. Smith-Rosenberg added that much support for the screening came from President Sheldon Hackney and VPUL Kim Morrisson's offices. "The demand [to hear Hill's lecture] was overwhelming," Nicholas Constan, assistant to the president, said yesterday. Constan also said he does not think the closed-circuit television will cost the University an excessive amount of money, although he said he does not know what the cost will be yet. He added that Meyerson B-1 was chosen for the sight of the broadcast because of its large size and its close proximity to Irvine Auditorium. "The closer it is, the less it costs," he said. Hill's visit is co-sponsored by Connaissaince and the Women's Studies Program's Judy Berkowitz Endowed Lectureship.
(03/23/92 10:00am)
JOSHUA GOLDWERT and SHELLEY TABOR A man was shot and killed in front of the McDonald's restaurant at 40th and Walnut streets after a high speed car chase last night. The unidentified victim was pronounced dead at 10:49 p.m., 24 minutes after police brought him to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. University and Philadelphia Police released only sketchy details last night. Eyewitness accounts conflict, but a rough picture of what happened has emerged. Shooting erupted at approximately 10:25 p.m. in front of McDonald's. A man in a white sweatsuit got out of his 1985 black Chevrolet Blazer parked on 40th Street and stood on the corner of 40th and Walnut streets, eyewitnesses said. The man then fired a semi-automatic weapon at a blue Lincoln Mark VII, which was on Walnut Street facing west. After the driver of the Lincoln was shot, he turned and began driving his car down 40th Street towards Smokey Joe's Tavern. After he spotted a police officer, he backed up onto Walnut Street and began moving west. At this point, the man who fired the shots at the Lincoln got into his Blazer and followed the Lincoln west on Walnut Street. The victim's car stopped in the middle of the left lane at the intersection of 42nd and Walnut streets with a bullet hole in the rear passenger side window and a flat right rear tire. It is unclear whether the police stopped the Lincoln or if the driver pulled over himself. The Blazer continued driving on Walnut Street, witnesses said. Police then took the driver of the Lincoln to HUP in the back seat of a police car. According to Philadelphia Police Homicide Division Lieutenant Robert Hicks, no suspects were found last night. Around 25 city and University officers arrived at the 42nd and Walnut streets location soon after the Lincoln stopped. Police officers brought at least one suspect to the scene and several witnesses to identify the suspect, but nobody taken to 42nd and Walnut streets was deemed involved in the incident and all were released immediately. Soon after the Walnut Street incident, the officers reported an accident over the police scanner at 48th and Wyalusing streets also involving a black Blazer. They brought the driver of the Blazer to 42nd and Walnut streets, but released him after witnesses said he was not involved. According to conversations between squad cars on the police scanner last night, no weapons were recovered from either corner, although many bullet shells were seen at 40th and Walnut streets. The conversations between officers immediately after the incident indicated that there was some confusion about what had occurred. At some point, an officer requested that chalk be sent to 40th and Walnut streets, and later, officers were unsure if anyone had been injured in the shooting. According to eyewitness College senior Larry Altenburg, who was in Baskin Robbins at the time of the incident, the two cars were stopped in front of the store before the shooting. Altenburg said the men in the cars began yelling at each other and then he heard approximately eight gun shots. "[The gun shots] sounded like a semi-automatic nine millimeter gun that I used to shoot in the Air Force," Altenburg said. "I yelled to everybody to get down." Altenburg said he saw shots between the cars as well. Altenburg said he then called 911. Another eyewitness who did not want to be identified said the man in a white sweat suit fired shots from the corner of McDonald's towards Burger King across the street. The witness, who was standing in the parking lot next to The Daily Pennsylvanian building at 4015 Walnut Street, said he "hit the deck" when he heard the shots. He added that he then heard car tires squealing. College senior John Grugen said he heard "automatic gunfire" from inside his house at 4036 Walnut Street and then looked out his window. According to Grugen and his housemate Engineering senior Joel Frauenhein, the Lincoln drove down 40th Street towards Smokey Joe's when it spotted a police car. Grugen said the Lincoln backed up onto Walnut Street, at which point the Blazer turned onto Walnut Street to follow the Lincoln. Grugen said he then heard "many shots." Several nine millimeter bullet shells were found on the sidewalk at the corner of 40th and Walnut streets. The Blazer's lights were off during the shooting, Grugen added. After the shooting, many University and Philadelphia police officers in uniform and plain clothes arrived at the scene. In addition, traffic was slowed almost to a halt at 42nd and Walnut Streets. The sidewalk around McDonald's was blocked off by police until at least 1:30 a.m. last night. Philadelphia Police Sergeant McCorriston said that when police arrived at 42nd and Walnut streets, the victim in the Lincoln was shot and unconsious. Police immediately took the victim to HUP.
(03/06/92 10:00am)
University officials finalized a plan yesterday detailing how the University will cope with a possible SEPTA strike. Hundreds of University faculty, staff and administrators, as well as commuting students, who rely on SEPTA for daily transportation to and from the University could be affected by a SEPTA strike. According to Steven Murray, associate vice president of business services, a letter will be sent out to the Universiy community next Wednesday advising of the possibility of a SEPTA strike. The letter will recommend that each University department provide bulletin board space for and encourage organization of car pools, Murray said. Car pooling would reduce commuting traffic and parking problems. In addition, he said, the letter will advise departments to be as flexible as possible with time requirements for employees arriving to work. But, Murray added, allowing lateness and changing time restrictions could be more difficult for some departments than others. "The hospital is not as flexible as a research department," Murray said. The University will also operate buses to take commuting students and faculty, staff and administrators to and from 30th Street Station, the Lindenwald Terminal at 16th and Locust Streets and the 69th Street Terminal, Murray said. According to Murray, buses to the two terminals will be run in cooperation with Drexel University. Buses used will be a combination of the Penn Bus, buses that usually take crews to the Schuylkill River, buses the University normally uses for charter services and possibly some buses from outside the University. Murray said the most difficult aspect of using University buses is adjusting the buses' normal schedules to morning and evening rush hour schedules. The University has developed schedules for the buses, Murray said, but Jack Heuer, manager of labor relations said Drexel officials have to approve the times on Monday. The University will also give out information about where parking is available, although not free, for driving commuters, Murray said. Heuer said he thinks the University's plan will be efficient. During the last SEPTA strike in 1986, Heuer said the University used a similar plan, and it worked well. In addition, the University is planning on increasing bus activity from 1986. Heuer said this measure would make the plan more efficient. "We found that it [the plan] worked in 1986, and we learned from it then and increased some of the [bus] activity," Heuer said. In addition, Murray said having to deal with a SEPTA strike will not cost the University much because the University will use mostly its own staff and buses to transport people.
(03/05/92 10:00am)
The city's Five-Year Financial Plan, released by Mayor Edward Rendell last month, recommends that the city strengthen ties with local hospitals and academic medical centers that could assist in the effort to find programs available for uninsured patients. This initiative would take some of the burden off the city's local health centers. In addition, the plan suggests improving the billing and classification system for Medicaid eligibility. Medicaid is medical insurance for low-income households and people with disabilities. In the plan, the city's Department of Public Health estimates 60 percent of all users of Ambulatory Health Care and Maternal and Infant Care programs could qualify for Medicaid. According to Michael Nardone, associate vice president of government relations for the Medical Center, many people without medical insurance qualify for Medicaid, but do not take advantage of it. The Medicaid application process involves two steps. Patients first must fill out forms at the hospital and then go to the county welfare office. Many patients "fall through the cracks of the welfare system" and their medical bills go unpaid when they don't go to the county office, Nardone said. Still, the Five-Year Plan, which Philadelphia City Council will vote on this month, does not specify how the process of acquiring Medicaid will be made easier or how hospitals will help patients receive assistence. Nardone said HUP is dedicated to helping the uninsured. "The hospital already has a strong commitment to providing care to the uninsured," Nardone said. "I think that we will work with the city to do what we can to provide for those less fortunate." In addition, Nardone said that every member of the communiy, including HUP, needs to contribute to helping the city overcome its financial crisis. "It is tougher and tougher to do more, but we [HUP] can always do more," Nardone added. Each year, HUP provides $30 million dollars of uncompensated and undercompensated care to people with little or no insurance, Nardone said. Uncompensated care is any care for people without insurance, and undercompensated care is care for people whose insurance reimburses at less than cost. Nardone said that if the Medicaid program was improved, less of a burden would be placed on HUP, as well as the health care centers. "If more people had Medicaid, it would be positive for the hospital," Nardone said. "We support efforts to place people in programs in hospitals that make sure folks get Medicaid."
(03/05/92 10:00am)
In less than one month, University faculty, staff and administrators who take take regional rail lines to work will undergo a whole new commuting experience. The project includes renovating 25 deteriorating rail bridges which are primarily located in North Philadelphia, SEPTA Spokesperson Jim Whitaker said. Whitaker also said the project will be done in two time segments. The first will be from April 5 to October 3 of this year, and the second will be from May 2 to September 4, 1993. During these time frames three commuter rails, the R2 to Warminster, the R5 to Lansdale/Doylestown and the R3 to West Trenton, will terminate at the new Fern Rock Transportation Center in North Philadelphia, Whitaker said. Currently, these lines run into Center City Philadelphia. At the transportation center commuters will board the Broad Street subway line, which will take them to City Hall in Center City. Both express lines and local lines will be available from the transportation center. In addition, three rail lines, the R6 to Norristown, the R7 to Chestnut Hill East and the R8 to Fox Chase will not operate at all during the project, according to Whitaker. Whitaker said SEPTA will provide alternative bus service in most cases. For R6 commuters, the trolley Route 100 line will run to Philadelphia's 69th Street Terminal, he said. According to a University Transportaion Deparment spokesperson, between 300 and 350 University workers who live outside of the city take SEPTA Compasses, passes for the commuter rail lines, from the University everyday. In addition, the spokeperson said other University members, who work at the University, but not every day, do not buy passes but also use the commuter lines. Whitaker also said the project is broken into two time frames and will not continue throughout the entire year because the number of riders is lower in the summer than in the winter. In addition, the weather is more suitable for constuction work. A possible SEPTA city workers strike would not affect the commuter line workers, who operate under a separate contract. Still, Whitaker said SEPTA does not know how a strike would affect the feasibility of beginning the project.
(03/03/92 10:00am)
Although the Philadelphia Five-Year Plan does not list the Civic Center as marketable city real estate, a University official maintained yesterday that the University will eventually buy it. The Civic Center, located at 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard adjacent to University property, was not mentioned as a piece of property the city may sell. But Robert Zemsky, director of planning for the University, said he remains confident the University will purchase the center. Zemsky announced last semester, as part of the University's 30-year plan to be written next fall, that the University will buy the Civic Center in order to expand the Medical Center. Although a new Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City will be completed in 1994 which will take away the bulk of the Civic Center's business, city officials contend that shows will still be held in the Civic Center. City officials said last semester that shows are booked through 1996 at the Civic Center. Zemsky said yesterday that he remains optimistic about the University eventually buying the Civic Center. He added that buying the Civic Center is a long-term goal and may not happen for 10 years. "Nothing is going to discourage me at this point," Zemsky said. "Clearly this is long-term, and in time, [the University] will work it out." Zemsky emphasized that the University "needs" the Civic Center, which could cost the University $60 million, to expand the Medical Center. "For the interest of the hosptial, we need to make it happen," Zemsky said. "There are a variety of ways possible [to buy the Civic Center], and the proper steps are being taken."
(02/27/92 10:00am)
At the Camden Aquarium, it's definitely hotter under the water The sharks are polishing their teeth. The fish are cleaning their gills. And the crabs are filing their claws. This Saturday, February 29, the Thomas H. Kean New Jersey State Aquarium at Camden will open its doors and the aquatic species calling the aquarium their new home are ready to strut their stuff. Although visitors to the aquarium may have to battle the traffic on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and trudge their way through Camden, once they enter the aquarium, they will feel the calm, soothing peace of the aquarium with its dimmed red lighting which simulates being underwater. · Visitors begin their journey inside the base of the giant rotunda of the aquarium, which is visible from the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and across the river on the shores of the Delaware River. The entire floor of the rotunda is comprised of fossils found in the Sahara. In addition, the walls are painted to resemble the ocean. The bottom layer is a dark blue, imitating the great depths of the ocean, and each increasing layer is a lighter color blue showing how more light reaches the higher levels of the ocean. According to Francine Cheeks, aquarium spokesperson, the aquarium is dedicated to representing sea life in and around New Jersey, specifically the Atlantic Ocean and the Hudson Bay. Between 70 and 90 percent of the aquarium's inhabitants were collected in these waters, she said. · The aquarium's largest and most impressive exhibit is its "Open Ocean Tank," which holds 760,000 gallons of water and is the nation's second-largest open ocean tank. The tank represents the waters of New Jersey, Cheeks said. The giant tank contains 35 varieties of acquatic life from the North Atlantic, including graceful sting rays, dogfish, banded rudderfish, sand tigers and sand bar sharks. Currently, the meat-eating sharks are being trained to ignore their instincts of eating the other inhabitants of the tank, Cheeks said. Marine biologists feed the sharks from the end of a large stick and condition the sharks to specific times and methods of feeding. "We can't say there hasn't been any attrition," Cheeks said about the sharks eating their fellow inhabitants. "But the retraining has been working." And according to marine biologist Frank Steslow, the sharks are the best fed of all the aquatic life. The sharks dine on fresh fish from a seafood store, while the rest of the tank inhabitants must eat frozen squid, fish and clams. In addition, Steslow said the marine biologists prepare a gelatin mixture of fish, vegetables and vitamins to ensure the fish receive the proper nutrients and antibiotics they may need. Visitors can view the giant tank from four different exhibit areas. "The Ocean Realm," a giant window eight feet tall and 38 feet wide, offers the largest view of sea life. Simulating an underwater exploratory station, the "Sea Probe" allows visitors to watch sharks glide by through large portholes. One of the portholes is concave, allowing curious sea explorers to extend their heads out into the tank and catch a closer view of the fish. The "Edge of the Abyss" is constructed to resemble the drop off of the continental shelf at the Hudson Canyon off New Jersey's coast. Cheeks said the actual Hudson Canyon is three times larger than the Grand Canyon. In addition, visitors can sit in the amphitheater outside the abyss and listen to a scuba diver talk to them from inside the tank. Finally, "Shipwrecks come to Life Down Below" is a long window depicting a sunken shipwreck where many small fish take refuge from their predators, and to which algae and invertebrates cling. According to an explanation of the exhibit, the state of New Jersey often purposely sinks old ships and other objects to provide a shelter for aquatic life. All the rocks and scenes throughout the giant tank are simulated and not taken from actual ocean sites. And visitors should not be fooled by the pretty starfish clinging to the rocks in the giant tank because they are not real. According to Cheeks, if the starfish were real, they would be eaten by the fish in the tank. The salt water in the giant tank and in smaller exhibits throughout the aquarium is also not a genuine ocean product. According to Cheeks, the aquarium produces sea water from ordinary Camden tap water treated with salt and chemicals. · Earlier this week, workers were still adding finishing touches to many of the smaller exhibits, and some of the aquatic life was still waiting to take its place among the aquarium's exhibits. On Tuesday, two of the friendlier creatures at the aquarium moved into their new homes at the aquarium's outside exhibits ready to delight audiences of any age. Luke and Squeegee, two brown harbor seals, arrived from the Philadelphia Zoo and dove into their 170,000 gallon, outdoor salt-water pool. Both seals were born in captivity and will be joined by three other harbor seals and two grey seals. Visitors will be able watch as the seals frolic in the water and as trainers feed the mammals from both underwater and above-water observation points. The other outdoor exhibit is the "Trout Stream," where visitors can observe many varieties of trout, including catfish, sunfish and pickerel, in a stream-like environment. Although the trout had yet to inhabit the stream early this week, Cheeks said they should be comfortably moved-in by Saturday's grand opening. The outdoor exhibits will be operated year-round, according to Cheeks. Visitors should dress warmly or bring a jacket because the weather can become chilly during this time of the year. · The many additional exhibits inside the aquarium range from the "To Touch a Shark" exhibit to the "Sea Senses" exhibit. Visitors will laugh, squeal or cringe when they reach into shallow pools to pet harmless sharks, stingrays and horseshoe crabs. A few exhibits, including "Bottom Dwellers," showcase the appearance of fish who can camouflage themselves in their surroundings. In addition, young children will enjoy a wall covered with large Colorform-like plastic fish which can be moved around into different backgrounds in order to teach children about fishes' camouflaging techniques. Although the aquarium's focus is on aquatic life found in New Jersey waters, the "Far, Far from Home" exhibit contains some Caribbean fish that are occasionally swept from the tropics into North Atlantic waters by strong gulf currents. At the "Under the Boardwalk" exhibit, visitors won't see young lovers, but rather pilings encrusted with barnacles, mussels, sponges and tunicates like those found under the classic New Jersey boardwalks. The "Water Babies" exhibit tells the story of the facts of life as they pertain to fish, not the birds and the bees. A series of nurseries show developing and recently hatched trout eggs and blue accura eggs, as well as baby lobsters. Children can also turn large pillars attached to the wall which tell the story of how fish grow. At the "Sea Senses" exhibit visitors can place their hands on a small tank and feel how the music of James Brown causes great vibrations throughout a fish's body and hear the vibrating electronic sounds fish produce. They can also place their heads inside a simulated dolphin head and sense what the mammal might feel. In addition, curious humans are able to look through the eyes of a fish or a lobster and see how they view their world. Most fish view the world in a electronically distorted manner. The "Water Colors" exhibit is a beautiful display of vibrant, colorful aquatic life. The exhibit includes a shy but impressive octupus, as well as demonstrations on how light affects the coloring and shades of different fish. Only a few exhibits were not ready earlier this week for the grand opening, including the exhibits "Jellyfish: Delicate Drifters" and "Life on the Barrier Beach," but Cheeks said the exhibits' inhabitants would be arriving any day. · The huge rotunda of the aquarium acts not only as a house for New Jersey's aquatic life, but as a weather-warning station as well. When the weather is clear, the rotunda will be illuminated by blue light. Cloudy weather will be represented by a white light and bad weather by a red light. During threatening storm warnings the rotunda will blink red as well. · The aquarium cost $52 million to build and is operated by the New Jersey Academy for Aquatic Sciences and funded by the New Jersey State Legislature. In addition, the aquarium is managed by the Philadelphia Zoo. Visitors can watch the view of Philadelphia coast and skyline seen from most spots inside the aquarium, the cafe and the outside exhibits. Students can reach the aquarium by driving over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and following the signs after the bridge tolls in Camden to I-676 and exiting on Mickle Boulevard and continuing to follow the signs. Parking is available at the aquarium's 700-car parking garage and 1300-car outdoor parking facility. In addition, according to the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, a ferry service will begin running from Penn's Landing to the aquarium on March 31. The 400-passenger ferry will run from a dock located near the Port of History Museum to a new dock south of the aquarium. The ferry will run from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. on weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Saturdays and from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Sundays. Ferry hours will be extended between May and September. A one-way ride on the ferry will cost $2 for adults and $1.50 for children and senior citizens. Adult and children tickets at the aquarium cost $8.50 and $5.50 respectively. For students with proper I.D., tickets cost $7. Tickets can be purchased in advance for specific dates and times at the aquarium ticket office or by calling (609) 365-3300. The aquarium will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. except for New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. · Approximately 10,000 people are expected to attend the grand opening on Saturday, Cheeks said. Tickets will be sold with specific times on them to keep the flow of people moving throughout the aquarium. Cheeks said the normal visitor can see all the exhibits in the aquarium within one-and-one-half to two hours. The aquarium is expected to draw one million visitors in its first year of operation alone. The aquarium is the major project in a $500 million Camden waterfront revitalization effort.
(02/26/92 10:00am)
Although the city's five-year financial plan proposed by Mayor Edward Rendell last week could force the University to pay a significant amount of money for services provided by the city, Senior Vice President Marna Whittington said the plan is fair because of the difficult economic times. Last Thursday, Rendell released the five-year plan, which the mayor hopes will bring the city out of debt. Proposals in the plan which could affect the University include the city's seeking reimbursement for sanitation privileges, raising permit and licensing fees, charging local universities for multiple dwelling license fees and charging a fee for 911 services. Whittington said she had expected the proposals in the plan and added that the University should be prepared to pay the fees. "I think that in difficult times, the University should pay fees for the services other entities in the city pay," Whittington said. "[The plan] is entirely fair." The plan suggests the city investigate the possibility of non-profit organizations paying for services rendered by the city for sanitation, fire and police services. According to Whittington, the University currently collects its own trash. But the city allows the University to dump its trash during normal hours in city dumps free of charge. Whittington said that although the language in the plan is not specific, if the plan is passed next month the University will probably have to pay to dump trash. She added that the amount the University will be charged has not been calculated. The plan also proposes raising "license, permit and service fees to approximate more closely to the cost of providing service." Whittington said the University would be charged these permit fees for any major construction project. The city also has not set fee schedules for permits yet, she said. Also, under Licenses and Inspections initiatives, the plan proposes investigating charging local universities "multiple occupancy dwelling license fees or rooming house license fees where applicable." This initiative may pertain to University dorms, but Whittington said the University must "wait and see" what regulations the city actually passes. "The details of all this have not been worked out," Whittington said. She added that once the plan is passed, the city will begin implementation. In addition, the plan proposes charging a fee for 911 emergency service, and Whittington said this may affect the University. Currently, the University has its own emergency number, 511, but may also be charged for the city's emergency number.
(02/20/92 10:00am)
For University students who don't care about Philadelphia politics and won't be home in time to vote in their native state's primary election, there is a voting alternative. Students can request an absentee ballot for the upcoming presidential and local elections and remain active voters in their home states. The following is an explanation of how students can obtain an absentee ballot from the five states which send the most students to the University: Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, California and Massachusetts. · PENNSYLVANIA -- According to Fay Ginther, the chief clerk of elections in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania students from outside Philadelphia County can request an absentee ballot by filling out an application for a ballot or writing a simple letter requesting a ballot to the students' home counties. Students need to be registered to vote in their home county prior to asking for an absentee ballot, and, every election, students need to re-request an absentee ballot, Ginther said. Pennsylvania's primary election is being held on Tuesday, April 28 this year. Voters need to be registered by March 30. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is April 21, one week prior to the election, and the absentee ballot must be received by 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election. Ginther said one of the biggest problems encountered with absentee voters is that the voters do not return their ballots in time. "Voters have to allow for mailing," Ginther said. "Voters should not wait until the deadline to request an absentee ballot because they won't have time to send it in." · NEW YORK -- Students from New York must call or write their local election boards, and the boards will send them applications for an absentee ballots, a representative from the general county of New York City said. The deadline for voter registration in New York is March 13, and the primary election is on April 7. The representative said absentee ballots will be recieved until midnight on the night before the elections. · NEW JERSEY -- Voters from New Jersey can receive an absentee ballot by going to their local county offices or writing a short letter requesting a form, a representative from Ocean County Board of Elections said. A county will send students the absentee ballots, if they are registered voters. The New Jersey primary election is being held June 2, and students wanting to vote must register by May 1. Absentee ballots can be requested anytime, and they have to be returned to county election boards by 3 p.m. on the day of the election, the representative said. · CALIFORNIA -- According to John Mott-Smith, a representative from the California State Election Board, when students register to vote, they can use their campus addresses as their mailing addresses, and they will automatically receive absentee ballots. Mott-Smith added that students must remember to fill in their home addresses for their residence addresses on the voter registration forms. Voters can also receive an absentee ballot, he said, by writing a letter to their home county election officials. In addition, voters can begin requesting absentee ballots at anytime, and the couties' election officials will begin sending the ballots to the voters a month before the election. This year, California's primary elections are June 2, and voters must be registered by May 4. Election officials must receive absentee ballots no later than May 26. · MASSACHUSETTS -- Students from Massachusetts can obtain absentee ballots by sending written applications or by having a parent or a relative apply for them in the town in which they are registered to vote, Harry Petrucci, a representative from the Massachusetts Board of Elections said. The Masssachusetts primary election is being held on March 10, and the deadline for registering to vote has passed. Petrucci said absentee ballots need to be returned by 8 p.m. the day of the election. · Students from states other then the ones listed should call their state election boards to find out voting regulations in their home state.
(02/18/92 10:00am)
The Pennsylvania State Supreme Court denied a petition protesting the reapportionment plan that divides University City into four State House seats and into two State Senate seats, drastically reducing students' influence in state politics. According to 27th Republican Ward Leader Matthew Wolfe, the Supreme Court announced its decision to deny the petition and 23 others like it filed across the state late Friday afternoon. Wolfe filed a petition against the new reapportionment plan, which splits University dormitories into three State House districts, because, he said, the plan is "unconstitutional." The state constitution says voting district lines should not be drawn across ward boundaries or any other political boundaries unless absolutely necessary, Wolfe said. And, Wolfe added, carving up the 27th Ward is not necessary. "It was outrageous that Supreme Court denied our petition," Wolfe said. David Hochman, the interim 27th Democratic Ward Leader, also expressed dismay at the decision. "That [the decision] is very disappointing, but not unexpected," Hochman, who is also the president of the Spruce Hill Community Association, said. "The Court has a history of throwing out these types of cases." Reapportionment is done every ten years after the national census is taken to ensure that voting districts have equal populations. The 1982 reapportionment plan was also petitioned because it divided the ward, but, according to Wolfe, was also denied. Many other wards in the city have been unecessarily divided into different voting districts, Wolfe said. In addition, Wolfe said he thought the new redistricting will be an advantage to the Democratic party. "[The plan] means that the districts have been stacked in such a way that Democratic incumbants will be elected," he said. "They [members of the Supreme Court] have left University City impotent in having influence over legislatures." Wolfe said the redistricting committee was predominately Democratic, and the State Legislature just "rubber stamped" the plan. In addition, the majority of Supreme Court justices are Democrats, he said. He also added that local Democratic leaders did little to protest the plan "Local Democratic leaders are willing to sacrifice the community interest in order to increase their chances of electing Democrats," he said. But Hochman said the redistricting "is a handicap for both parties." And former 27th Ward Democratic Leader Kevin Vaughan said earlier this month that such charges are unfounded, since "there is no Republican vote to break up." The Supreme Court has also extended the deadline for filing nomination petitions for State House and State Senate seats from today to March 6 as a result of the petition. (CUT LINE) Please see PLAN, page 5 PLAN, from page 1
(02/06/92 10:00am)
Officials at Philadelphia colleges in danger of losing state funding said yesterday that despite the surprise of Gov. Robert Casey's proposed budget cuts, they are committed to keeping tuition increases to a minimum. Casey's budget, which must be approved by the state legislature, suggests eliminating all funding to non-state-related colleges and universities, as well as reducing funding to state-related schools. The University would receive no state funding under Casey's budget. Other Philadelphia schools which could be hit hard by the proposed budget cuts include Hahnemann Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Drexel University and Temple University. Most administrators said the suggested cuts come at a time when universities and colleges are battling just to stay afloat in a worsening economy. "[The budget cuts] will hurt enormously, make no mistake about it," said Stephanie Naidoff, vice president for governmental relations at Thomas Jefferson University, which last year received approximately $10.7 million dollars from the state and could lose all funding if this year's budget is approved. "A complete reduction such as the one the governor is proposing, coming as it does on top of severe cutbacks in other federal and state funding, could seriously impair our ability to carry out our mission," Naidoff added. Medical College of Pennsylvania Dean Leonard Ross said that currently, state funding makes up only five percent of MCP's total operating budget, but, more importantly, 20 percent of its education expenses. "Clearly, [the budget cut] has a serious effect on us," Ross said. "It severely cripples our abilities to have a quality education progam." MCP would lose approximately $4.5 million if Casey's budget passes. In addition, Ross said an increased minority recruitment program at MCP could be in jeopardy if the cuts are implemented. Still, all school administrators said they will do their best to keep tuition hikes down. Ross said a tuition increase at MCP would only come as a "last resort." "If we do [increase tuition]," Ross said. "It really means the state has forced us to provide medical education only for the rich." And Merrill Meadow, a spokesperson at Hahnemann University, which stands to lose approximately $5.4 million, said the proposed budget cuts should not effect tuition. Temple University President Peter Liacouras said in a statement released yesterday that he wants to avoid a painful tuition hike because most of Temple's students come from middle- and low-income families. "These Pennsylvania families are hard-working people who sacrifice in order to help their members earn a college education" Liacouras said. He added that 80 percent of the students at Temple work, and one-third of those students must work full-time "to make ends meet." Temple, which is a state-related university, would lose $3.5 million to $5 million if Casey's budget is passed. The school would still receive approximately $138 million. Still, Liacouras said Temple's two primary sources of revenue are tuition and state appropriations. "Without more money, Temple must consider a major tuition hike," he said. The school administrators also said the cuts to Philadelphia schools would hurt the whole state, adding that they hope the state legislature will restore the funding. "I hope that the legislature will find some way to restore the funding to institutions that are so important to the well-being of the Commonwealth," Naidoff said. MCP's Ross said 75 percent of MCP's graduates practice in Pennsylvania, and MCP plans on "enlisting their [graduates'] support in efforts to regain money." He also said MCP wants to work closely with other Philadelphia private schools to discourage legislators from passing Casey's budget. Iqbal Paroo, the president of Hahnemann University, said he has confidence that the budget proposal will not pass. "As this budget goes to the legislature we have confidence that legislators, who have appreciated the role we play, will restore the support," Paroo said. "Academic medical centers in particular are an important part of the Philadelphia economy."
(01/30/92 10:00am)
President George Bush will make a quick stop in Philadelphia today to speak to the Chamber of Commerce and help kick off his presidential campaign. And according to an ACT-UP -- the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power -- member Norman Baker, the President's visit will be met with protests against his domestic policies. After arriving at the Philadelphia National Airport at about 11 a.m., Bush will speak at the Franklin Plaza Hotel at noon and leave the city shortly after 1 p.m. According to Baker, ACT-UP will be outside the hotel protesting with interesting "visual displays." Bush's last visit to Philadelphia was in September, when he toured a Universtiy-sponsored drug treatment program at the Veterans Administration Hospital and went to a fund-raising dinner for Republican Senate candidate Richard Thornburgh. Nearly 7,000 protesters turned out to show their objection to his domestic policies. The protests turned violent when ACT-UP and other protest groups which included University students pushed their way through police barricades across from the hotel where the fund-raising dinner was held. Police hit many protesters on their heads and bodies with nightsticks. Eight protesters were arrested and one was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital for a head injury. Last Tuesday night Bush delivered his State of the Union address and began his campaign for re-election. Bush's speech called for a reduction in nuclear arms, a lowering of the capital gains tax and giving a $5000 tax credit to first-time home buyers, reformation of the health care system and the strengthening of the American family.
(01/30/92 10:00am)
Tuesday night, President George Bush delivered the State of the Union address that many Americans hoped would help pull the country out of a recession and the President hoped would pull his popularity out of the dumps. But History professor Bruce Kuklick said Bush's advisors placed too much emphasis on the speech and were unsuccessful in kicking off the President's campaign. "Reality is the breaker of myth, and people are not going to put up with this type of empty rhetoric," he said. "I don't think [the speech] will carry Bush." But Political Science Chairperson Oliver Williams said Bush had no choice but to place a lot of emphasis on the speech because he had to begin his campaign somewhere. However, Williams said he was surprised the President laid out his entire platform so early in the campaign. "It is a long time between now and elections, and it gives the opposition time to go over his platform with a fine tooth comb," he said. And Kuklick said he thought people are "sick" of the President's tactics and were probably not impressed by the speech. "It was completely unsubstantial," Kuklick said. "He did not say anything very important." Some professors felt Bush "played up" his strong foreign policy and glossed over his domestic policy without citing concrete plans. "I think [the speech] was a classsic case of smoke and mirrors," said History professor Thomas Sugrue. Also, Bush tried to use the success of the War in the Persian Gulf in an emotional appeal for support, Kuklick said. "If the American can beat up on the little guy, it is bound to get a lot of applause," Kuklick said. Sugrue added that Bush relied on Desert Storm because it is his one tangible accomplishment that he can point to in his administration. "[Bush] is looking back to a period when his popularity was at its peak," Sugrue said. Sugrue also expects to see references to Desert Storm in Bush's political commercials and stump speeches this fall. Bush's attempt to use optimism and no concrete domestic policy like President Ronald Reagan did during his presidency will not be successful, Kuklick said. "Reagan could do it during a period when people were employed," Kuklick said. "It is difficult to do it when things aren't OK, and [Bush is not the charismatic leader Reagan was." But Sugrue said the speech was likely more effective than the President's recent addresses, and his trip to Japan in raising his popularity. The President also tried to address all the major issues his opponents, Republicans and Democrats alike, have raised so far in the campaign. Sugrue said that by laying out a plan for reforming the health care system, an issue the Democrats have exploited so far in the campaign, and making a compromise with Congress for an extension on unemployment insurance, Bush was "taking the wind out of [his opponents] sails." He added that by taking a moderate stand on revising health care, and not nationalizing it, Bush could "take the fire out of the Democrats sweeping proposals." In addition, Sugrue said, Bush "threw mud" in Republican opponent Pat Buchanon's face by raising the issue of isolationism and its dangers. "The speech really was a very clever attack on major opponents, Democratic and Republican alike," Sugrue said. Bush's plan for economic recovery will probably have little effect in the long run though, Sugrue added. He added that by lowering the capital gains tax, Bush will only be helping upper-income citizens.
(01/29/92 10:00am)
The University did not provide services the city paid for and overcharged the city in two situations, according to a city audit released in December. A Department of Human Services annual audit for the 1990-91 fiscal year said the city paid the University $90,000 to provide 144 training opportunies for supervisors and senior managers in DHS, but the University only provided 75 opportunities. In addition, the audit, done by the City Controller's office, said the University "erroneously" billed DHS $18,000 twice in June 1990 and overbilled DHS $2000 for fringe benefits. University Comptroller Alfred Beers said it was premature to comment on the audit. Currently, the Comptroller's officer is checking its records to see whether the allegations of double-billing and over-billing for fringe benefits are correct or not, he added. According to City Controller Jonathan Saidel, part of the blame for the situation lies with the city because it did not keep checks on the program. "It is the city's responsibility to see if it [the program] is cost effective," Saidel said. "It is not as much a criticism of Penn as a criticism of the system." The University and DHS made changes in the original contract, said Burton Cohen, director of the School of Social Work, with the school providing the training. The University did provide all the training opportunities upon which it had agreed, he added. "The changes were mutually agreed upon," Cohen said. "From my standpoint, we did provide all training hours spelled out in the contract. The city did not get short-changed." Cohen also said the city had not expressed any dissatisfaction with the program before the audit. Saidel also said the University's double-billing was probably a mistake and admitted the city's financial operations are disorganized. "I don't think it was anything criminal," Saidel said. "Their [the University's] system is large enough to make a mistake, and our system is not accurate enough to investigate." DHS did not realize the University had billed it twice and approved the $18,000 payment, submitting its approval to DHS's fiscal unit. The fiscal unit rejected the payment because only $3000 remained for the program but still resubmitted it for processing. The city awarded the contract to the University without putting it out for bidding. The audit suggests DHS should use competitive bidding in the future to find the lowest cost for training. "We are asking DHS to change its procedures and get control," Saidel said. "The University has to be aggressive." According to Frank Voigt, the head the watchdog group Committee of 70, contracts such as the training program are usually not bid on by competitors. Saidel said when DHS began expanding four or five years ago, it enlarged its use of the University and other schools in the city. "We set a lot of contracts with larger non-profit organizations," he said. "It is better to use the school than a profit organiztion that does not care about the city."
