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(11/07/91 10:00am)
George Bush probably did not sleep well last night. At Wofford's headquarters election night, several politicians and pundits said that Wofford's 40-point comeback based on traditional Democratic issues of jobs and national health care is sending a strong signal to Bush and the Republicans. "The issues he's [Wofford] talked about -- healthcare, jobs, and education -- are Democratic issues," said Rep. Peter Kostmayer (D-Pa.) in Wofford's suite Tuesday night. "I think when you fight these battles on a Democratic battleground, the Democrats would win, and I think this a wake-up call to George Bush." Wofford's ability to tap into middle class resentment of Washington's response to their problems was the key to Wofford's victory and offers hope to Democratic presidential hopefuls. But this change of attitude among the middle class does not bode well for Bush and the incumbent Republicans, who may find themselves swimming against the tide. "I just think it's the winds of the times," said another one of Wofford's Capitol Hill colleagues, Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.). "I just think he tapped into this feeling people have that things have got to change." While watching the promising election returns on television, Wofford credited this domestic message and the opportunity for Pennsylvanians to send a shock to the White House for his victory. "We want action against a recession such as this," Wofford said. "We want national health insurance. The people want us to bring the Peace Corps spirit home to America and take care of our own problems and our own people with the sources and will we apply so readily to challenges overseas." The Wofford victory is a breath of fresh air for the stagnant Democratic Party that hasn't been able to put a dent in the Reagan-Bush armor for over a decade. But perhaps the Democrat with the biggest grin on his face was Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Mark Singel who is exploring a run against the state's senior senator, Arlen Specter. "I'm very encouraged by these results," Singel said election night. "There's no question in my mind that Harris Wofford has given us a foundation on which to build a strong message for moderates to run in Pennsylvania." "I think it is going to be a competitive race in 1992," he added. "I feel very strongly about it, and stay tuned because we're going to continue. We're going to make it two for two." "If the fates would have it . . . I would be delighted to serve with Harris Wofford as the junior senator from Pennsylvania." Singel is not only helped by Wofford's win, but also by Specter's tough stance in the Clarence Thomas hearings and the state's history of having at least one senator from outside Philadelphia. As Democrats are gearing up to pour salt in the Republicans' Pennsylvania wound, Republican leaders are assessing the damage Wofford's victory did to the party. "It's a blow to the party," Specter admitted at Philadelphia mayoral candidate Joseph Egan's headquarters election night. National Republican leaders are not as candid as they scurry for an explanation for Thornburgh's sound thumping. "We view Pennsylvania as an aberration," Republican National Committee Chairman Clayton Yeutter said on NBC's "Today" show. Assessing the Wofford victory at a morning news conference yesterday, President Bush said there was a message sent from Pennsylvania. "There's a message here for the administration and a message here for the United States Congress," Bush said. "When the economy is slow, people are concerned. They're hurting out there. They're concerned about their livelihood." But Bush's noticing that many Americans are suffering economically is a realization that went over his former Attorney General's head and that a victorious Wofford made months ago. The question now is: Is it too late for Bush? The Associated Press contributed to this story
(11/06/91 10:00am)
Harris Wofford does not like to predict elections. He thought John Kennedy, his political mentor, would win by a landslide in 1960. Kennedy barely squeaked out a victory. He and his staff also felt that he would narrowly win the Senate seat he was appointed to earlier this year. Again, Wofford was wrong. Wofford came seemingly out of nowhere to beat Thornburgh, one of Pennsylvania's most popular governors and a high-ranking member of the Bush administration until he resigned this summer to run for the seat. Wofford will continue holding the Senate seat he was appointed to last spring after John Heinz was killed in a helicopter crash. Wofford, a former Kennedy aide and Bryn Mawr College president, was a 40-point underdog coming into the race. But with a campaign stressing domestic issues, especially national health care, Wofford was able to build name recognition and emerged with a 12-point victory that made him the first Democrat to win a Pennsylvania Senate seat in 23 years. "Tonight, let's celebrate, and tomorrow let's do the work," Wofford told an euphoric crowd of supporters when he claimed victory at about 11:30 p.m., prompting them to chant his name, cheer and exchange handshakes, high-fives and hugs. Experts predicted in the last few days that Wofford would do well in the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, but as vote counts began coming in from suburban counties, it gradually became apparent that Wofford would win, and by a large margin. "This is going to be a rout," James Carville, Wofford's star consultant, predicted at 10 p.m. as the first results started to come in. Thornburgh, who ran as a Washington insider coming back home to claim a Senate seat he felt he deserved, instead suffered what he appropriately called a "reversal." The campaign was unusual in that the incumbent Wofford was able to use disatisfaction with the current government as a weapon against his challenger. "The luckiest moment was when my opponent came back from Washington and gave the reason to send him back to Washington -- he wanted to go back to the corridors of power where he walked and continue the policies that he'd been carrying out," Wofford said at about 10 p.m. from his suite at the Wyndham-Franklin Plaza hotel. By using this anti-Washington feeling, Wofford pulled off one of the most stunning victories in Pennsylvania history. "I just think it's the winds of the times," Senator Paul Wellstone (D-Minn) said from Wofford's suite. "I just think he tapped into this feeling people have that things have got to change, and I think he's a candidate who will change things." In recent weeks, as Wofford narrowed the gap between Thornburgh and himself, the race attracted national attention. Many viewed the race as a test case for Democratic strategy for future races and some experts last night called Thornburgh's loss a defeat for President Bush, Thornburgh's friend and ally. "The people of Pennsylvania have sent a message that will be heard at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue," Wofford said. "Bush better get his act together," added Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Mark Singel. "Instead of paying attention to the Turks and Kurds, he should pay attention to steelworkers and secretaries." Bob Barnett, executive director of the state Democratic Party, supported this view. "The hole that Bush is falling into is getting deeper," he said. Even Republican Arlen Specter, the state's senior senator, said Wofford's victory hurt the Republicans. "This requires a re-evaluation by the party," Specter admitted at Philadelphia mayoral candidate Joseph Egan's election night reception. "It puts figures on the scoreboard for Bush to change his message." "It's a blow to the party," he added.
(11/06/91 10:00am)
As polls closed around the state and his political future hung in the balance, Harris Wofford took a swim. As Wofford left the third-floor health club at the Wyndham-Franklin Plaza Hotel, he appeared to be the epitome of calm. He did not scream as a reporter and a photographer walked in on him as he was coming out of the shower. He even stopped to return a plastic comb to the attendant. Two floors below, his supporters and staff were nervously anticipating a long night of counting returns and hoping for a razor-thin victory. The press corps were settling in for a long night. After Wofford dressed and left the health club, aides swarmed around him, demanding that he return to his suite. Yet the ex-college president showed the patience of a teacher. He was not anxious or nervous -- he was happy to once again tell a group of reporters the message which brought him from a 40-point deficit. Downstairs the first returns came in. "Oh my God! Look at that," shouted Brian Matthews, an ex-college roommate of Wofford's son and longtime family friend, as TV monitors around the Franklin Plaza ballroom showed Wofford winning by over 30 points. But to Wofford's renegade consultant, James "Ragin' Cajun" Carville, it was no surprise. "I got three Jack Daniels in me and I don't have a computer model, but I know this state, and he won," said Carville, the only advisor clad in black Reeboks and faded Levi's, at around 10 p.m. last night. Carville, a deeply superstitious man, was also confident of a Wofford win because he had two poached eggs, rye toast and black coffee -- the same breakfast he has been eating since the polls jumped in Wofford's favor. In addition, as Carville offered to show, he was wearing his lucky underwear which he vowed he would not change until his candidate won. Meanwhile, Wofford was watching returns with his family and friends on a couch surrounded by his wife Clare, his son David, and his newborn grandson, Nathaniel, who was oblivious to the history he was witnessing. Wofford was at ease, answering questions from a small cadre of reporters, bantering with supporters, and offering advice to any one considering a career change at 65. "I recommend if lighting strikes you at 65, it's a good challenge," Wofford said as he joked to his longtime friend from the Kennedy Administration, Sargent Shriver. Back in the ballroom, more returns came in and a contagious enthusaism and optimism began to sweep over the crowd who, with drinks in hand, applauded wildly as the results where announced. After about an hour, the calmness of the hotel's fourth floor was shattered as Wofford and his family and friends, sequestered in suite 410, erupted in jubilation as Thornburgh called to congratulate Wofford on the victory. While such luminaries as Shriver and Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minn) hugged and congratulated everyone in sight, Carville -- who just arrived and was lurking in the doorway -- was swept up by an ecstatic crowd who wanted to pay thanks to him. Downstairs, a deafening eruption of emotion shook the walls as the good news was announced. College Democrats mobilized to line the entrance-way with "Wofford for Senate" signs, and photographers jockeyed for position. Then, like out of a fairytale, the "Rocky" theme started. The crowd cheered louder. In walked Pennsylvania's newest underdog victor, a 65-year-old Kennedy liberal who beat George Bush's protege and sent a shock wave all the way to the White House. Hard to believe he was swimming laps in a flourescent orange swimsuit just three hours before.
(11/04/91 10:00am)
"Blackwell for Congress" signs are plastered all over the windows of 3927 Walnut Street, the former site of The Athletic Department sporting goods store. But isn't Thomas Foglietta the U.S. Congressman for the University area -- the 1st Congressional District? "It's weird," said 27th Ward Democratic Leader Kevin Vaughan about the mysterious appearance of the headquarters last month. So after mystifying area politicos and stultifying students, the question is asked: why is the headquarters for Lucien Blackwell's campaign for the 2nd District Congressional seat in the wrong district? After hesitating, a spokesperson for ex-City Council member Lucien Blackwell's Congressional campaign said he is "aware the headquarters are slightly outside the district." But the Walnut Street space does give the campaign the size they need to "run a field operation," said Blackwell spokesman Jim Davis. Vaughan said he thinks it is an "odd move" even though it is only two blocks outside of the 2nd District, because there is very little parking for people to stop and come in to pick up campaign literature and because the block has a reputation for crime. Davis defended Blackwell's move since the location "gives us good access to West Philadelphia, a large part of the 2nd Congressional District," and it is a highly trafficked area of people coming in and out of the district. Virtually all of West Philadelphia, except for the 27th Ward -- in which the University community lies -- is in the 2nd District. The 27th Ward is just beyond the southern edge of the 2nd District and is surrounded by the district on the north, east and west. 27th Ward Republican leader Matthew Wolfe said he was "surprised anyone noticed" that Blackwell's headquarters are in the wrong district. But he added that it is not a "big issue." It could mean that "he got a good deal on real estate," Wolfe said. Yet Vaughan is more critical than his Republican counterpart. "It doesn't send a great signal to the people of the district he wants to serve," said Vaughan. Beyond the mystery behind the placement of the headquarters, lies the candidate, Lucien Blackwell, and his campaign to win the Congressional seat left vacant by the retirement of William Gray this September. Blackwell, a former four-term City Council member and mayoral candidate this spring, has received the endorsement of the Democratic Party ward leaders and the party support that comes with it. The Democrats' strong grassroots organization is perceived by most pundits as an insurmountable advantage in the heavily Democratic 2nd District. "The conventional wisdom would say he's a shoo-in," Vaughan said. But Vaughan said the Congressional race is "too close to call right now." Last night, Blackwell said despite recent polls which show his opponents, State Senator Chakka Fattah and former State Welfare Secretary James White, running very close to him, he is going to win handily. Blackwell noted that in this spring's Democratic mayoral primary he won the precincts in the 2nd Congressional District with 50,000 votes. Speaking on domestic issues, Blackwell said "we have to reinvest in cities." "[We] have too many people in the streets, we're sending jobs to Japan and Mexico putting Americans out of work. We have to speak to these issues," he said. Blackwell said he is not a "public master," but a "public servant" who has served the area by getting the funding for the senior citizens center and public housing on 40th and Market Streets.
(11/04/91 10:00am)
Hal Abramson is out for justice. But it's a different type of justice than what aikido expert Steven Segal was looking for in his recent movie. Abramson, a University alumnus and third degree black belt, is seeking one of the 16 open state Court of Common Pleas judgeships. An accomplished attorney in many areas of the law including civil rights and government law, Abramson is known for defending the state judiciary system from a lawsuit by state judges who were removed for allegedly accepting bribes from the Roofers' Union. But at the University, this 43-year-old is best known for instructing scores of students, employees and alumni in the martial art of ki aikido. Abramson said he began practicing aikido in 1972 after boxing and shotokan karate did not "hold my interest." He is now the chief instructor of the Philadelphia Ki Society and teaches weekly at the University's ki aikido club. Developed in Japan over 80 years ago, aikido is based on samurai warrior hand-to-hand combat techniques. But it does not stress confrontation. "It is a martial art which emphasizes non-confrontational conflict resolution as a means of self-defense meaning the best form of self-defense is not to fight at all," Abramson said. Abramson, who was endorsed by the Philadelphia Bar Association, said that aikido emphasizes remaining calm and relaxed in the face of confrontation. "These concepts are very effective for attorneys who practice in the courtroom. [They] enable you to focus on the issues and perceive what is occurring," said Abramson. He added that he performs some relaxation techniques before going into battle in the courtroom so he can feel as if he is in "the eye of the storm." According to Abramson, the connection between martial arts and hearing cases is not far-fetched. "In fact, a good martial artist will have a judicial temperament, and a good judge is already in many ways a martial artist," he said. "A judge's job is to resolve disputes in a socially acceptable way, and of course, that is the goal of any martial artist as well." Because he teaches Philadelphians how to avoid being victims of crime, Abramson also sees his aikido instructing as a community service. In one case, a University graduate student -- who was only practicing aikido for a year -- was crossing the street when a man approached him from the front. Sensing something was amiss, he sidestepped out of the way. The attacker then crashed into his partner who was rushing the student from behind. The student walked calmly away from the scene. Abramson said he has never been attacked. She said Abramson's honesty, integrity and his ability to "stay very calm in very pressurized situations" would make him a "marvelous judge." In addition, Brennen said she and all of Abramson's students are "very proud to have him as an instructor." After visiting with Democrats from the University's ward, party ward leader Kevin Vaughan said Abramson would "bring honesty and integrity to the bench," and he would be "an excellent choice." Vaughan said that the nine Common Pleas Court candidates who are endorsed by both political parties are almost guaranteed positions of the 16 available. So Abramson is really vying for one of seven open seats. Despite the shortened odds, Vaughan said, "He should be okay." Abramson graduated from the College in 1970, and he received his Masters in Business Administration from Wharton in 1972. At Wharton, Abramson became interested in law and he continued his study at Temple University Law School. He then worked in the City Solicitor office and as a legal counsel to the state's judiciary system. He currently practices with the Philadelphia law firm of Fox, Rothschild, O'Brien and Frankel. Abramson also served as a city mental health master where he adjudicated cases of people being committed to mental health institutions and then recommended a course of action. If elected to the bench, Abramson is one judge who won't need Bull as a baliff.
(10/23/91 9:00am)
It is 4 a.m., you are slightly intoxicated, and very hungry. Suddenly, you find yourself satiating your hunger with something called an eggel and fries smothered in gravy. The year could be 1971, 1983, or 1991. It's just another night at Troy's, a long-time University favorite. But Troy's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month, and may become the latest casualty of the West Philadelphia economy. Over the past year, the Athletic Department clothing store and Barley and Hops restaurant have gone out of business. Area business owners say major problems include high rent from their landlord -- who is often the University, the slow summer period, high taxes and poor parking. But while area businesses continue to struggle and sometimes fail, entrepreneurs are still attracted to the University market. In the past year, the area has seen the addition of two new restaurants and a bicycle store. · The most glaring difficulty in starting a business in West Philadelphia is surviving the summer when their customer base -- students -- is gone. "During the summer, it is a trial period," said Douglas Rhee, owner of Bonded Cleaners on the 3700 block of Spruce Street. "[There is a] drastic change when school's out." Sunny Jachar, manager of Mega-Video on the 3900 block of Walnut Street, said that the summer "kills business." Business booms all year, and then for four months business is "dead," Jachar said. Smokey Joe's Tavern Owner Paul Ryan, a longtime area businessperson, said that since his "business depends mostly on students," he is basically operating "nine months a year." Smoke's business is also threatened by the state Liquor Control Board's recent decision not to renew the bar's liquor license. The current license will expire at the end of the month. High overhead costs, especially high rent, can sink many stores before they can really get established. And since the University owns much of the retail space bordering the campus, most businesspeople blame the University for the high rent costs. Dave Kaplan, owner of the six-month-old Bicycle Express on 40th Street, said last month that his rent is "fairly high." Yet Bicycle Express is one of the few success stories in the area. John Kollias, owner of Troy's, said that the University is charging its tenants too much which in turn, forces rents in the area up even higher. "The University has monopolized most of the land," Kollias said. "They have a mini-monopoly around here -- rents don't reflect their true value." But David Thornburgh, director of the Wharton Small Business Development Center, said that any higher overhead costs are offset by the "real advantages" of being close to the University. The University's Real Estate office was unavailable for comment. Parking, a problem that any visitor to the University encounters, is also a problem for businesses. Loren Gallup, owner of Friendly Flowers on Walnut Street, said that her delivery people are constantly getting parking tickets. In addition, Gallup said she has no place to park on a permanent basis. She said she hopes the University would give some spots in the new parking complex to be built at the corner of 40th and Walnut Streets. Kollias said Troy's also has parking woes since Chestnut Street is "too crowded." In addition, he said metered parking has hurt his business. "Meter maids have wiped out businesses around the city," Kollias said. Despite many problems, it is "business as usual" for some, and new businesses are still opening. Bonded Cleaners' Rhee said that to stay in business, a store owner must "know exactly what the students' needs, wants, and interests [are]." Thornburgh said that because of the recession and other economic obstacles, a business must focus on what group they are trying to target. "It is no secret that the last year or so we've been in the midst of a recession. Those businesses that are not targetting a particular niche are being most affected," Thornburgh said. Following this advice and consequently "doing phenomenonally well," is Bicycle Express which opened this past April. Kaplan said that he was starting to see many University students in his other two stores in Northeast Philadelphia so he decided to open a store on campus. He said that the demand for bicycles and his commitment to customer service have made business brisk. But as other business owners have learned, there is a harsh reality to operating in West Philadelphia. "The truth of the matter is that anyone trying to start up in this area would probably be wasting a lot of money," Kollias said.
(10/11/91 9:00am)
Allegro, located on 40th and Spruce streets, joins Smokey Joe's Tavern and 62 other bars and restaurants in the Philadelphia area denied their liquor licenses this term. Angelo Hernandez, manager of Allegro's, said yesterday he "knows nothing" of the non-renewal of his restaurant's liquor license. But in a statement, the LCB said its actions against Allegro are part of an aggressive two-year campaign to shut down establishments that violate Pennsylvania's liquor laws. "What you see here [at Allegro's] is a pattern of abuse, blatant disregard for Pennsylvania liquor laws, repeat citations for the same offense," LCB spokesperson Secretary Donna Pinkham said yesterday. Pinkham said Allegro has two unadjudicated state police citations for selling alcohol to minors in 1991, and other cases over the past two years. Pinkham also defended the LCB's actions against Smoke's yesterday, saying that the campus bar was cited six times for selling alcohol to minors and for "permitting minors to frequent" their tavern this year. Two of these times, six and 19 minors were caught in the bar, said Pinkham. Paul Ryan, owner of Smoke's, said that since 1986, his tavern has been raided 23 times with minors being found 13 of those times. Ryan said the minors found only comprise "three percent of the total people carded." He added that he has tried numerous ways to weed out underage drinkers, but added "there has been a way to beat it." Since there are so many underage drinkers at the University, Ryan said, there is a "constant barrage of minors trying to get into your place." "We're in a college area with 12,000 underage students across the street, and they're going to try every night to get into Smokey Joe's because it's the place to be," Ryan said. He also called for stricter penalties against a minor caught in a bar to act as a deterrent, thereby making it easier for Smoke's to keep underage drinkers out. Pinkham would not comment on the efficacy of the law since LCB does not deal with drafting statutes. According to Pinkham, a bar denied renewal has 20 days from the day of formal notification to request a hearing in front of the LCB hearing examiner. The examiner then makes a recommendation to the three-member LCB. If the LCB still denies a bar its license, then the bar can appeal the decision to the state Court of Common Pleas. During both appeals, the establishment can ask the LCB or the Court to allow them to stay open and serve alcohol pending the outcome of the appeal, Pinkham said. In Smoke's battle for renewal, Ryan said he is asking the University community to write and call the LCB "to present the case that absolutely proves we are not a nuisance to your neighborhood."
(10/04/91 9:00am)
Supporters and candidates of the Consumer Party disrupted and then walked out of a debate among the 10 major-party candidates for City Council at-large seats at Drexel University last night. Consumer Party City Council at-large candidates Besse Weiner and Lance Haver led a group of 10 supporters in picketing in front of Drexel's Mandell Theater, the site of the debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters. As local League President Vanessa Abernathy began the debate, Haver yelled out, "Why has the Consumer Party been systematically denied access to this debate?" Abernathy responded that she and the other heads of the League were young leaders who made a "mistake." Haver then called for Weiner and himself to be added to the forum. Abernathy started to answer their calls, but then stopped mid-sentence and commenced the forum by introducing the moderator, WPVI-TV reporter Vernon Odom. As Odom began to speak, the Consumer Party supporters stood up en masse and walked out. Before the debate began, Haver criticized the League for trying "to quiet the only party to challenge the status quo." "Obviously, the League of Women Voters does not understand the difference between non-partisan and bi-partisan," Haver said. Council member Angel Ortiz said after the forum that he was upset that the Consumer Party candidates were not included in the forum. "I don't like it. They should have been part of the process," Ortiz said. Some candidates complained about the brevity of their response time -- one minute -- but they were only speaking to 50 people in the empty recesses of cavernous Mandell Theater. Drexel junior Richard Davis said the debate would have been helpful "if only Drexel students would show up." Abernathy said the low turnout was due to the debate being "put together with very little lead time," and she was "not disappointed with the turnout considering the time we had to work with." During the debate, Republican candidates stressed what they called the Democratic mismanagement of government, while the Democrats placed blame on the federal government and even on the Republicans. In his closing statement, City Council member Thacher Longstreth blasted 40 years of Democratic rule by charging voters to, "When in doubt, throw them out." City Council member David Cohen responded to his colleague's partisan attack by blasting the Republicans for supporting the last two city budgets which have put Philadelphia in its current fiscal mess. He also blamed Republicans for their role in handling the national Savings and Loan crisis. Many candidates called for changes in the City Charter. For example, Republican challenger Lawrence Tabas called for a Charter change to strengthen the executive power of the mayor. Tabas was picked by Republican leadership this summer to fill the vacancy on the ticket left by Joseph Egan's move to the mayoral race to replace the late Frank Rizzo. DeLores Weaver, another Republican challenger, said the "image of Council has to improve," and that the body should "review [legislation] in a responsible manner and give responsible input." Addressing the issue of taxes, Republican challenger Diana Roca said "the whole system needs to be revamped," and that taxes should be lowered to attract businesses and homeowners to the city. Countering Roca, Democratic challenger Happy Fernandez said that better collection of taxes, not a tax overhaul, would help the city by adding $10 million to $15 million in revenue. On the issue of crime, Tabas said, "Dial 911 in this city and sometimes it's like dialing Dial-A-Prayer." He also said that more funding and more police officers are necessary to curb crime. Republican incumbent City Council member Joan Specter stressed her record during two terms in Council citing her leadership on a City Charter change and other issues. In their closing statements, all of 10 candidates called themselves the right leader to bring Philadelphia out of its fiscal crisis and lead it into the 21st Century. Three-term City Council member Augusta Clark said, "Don't believe the doomsday prophets who say we are going to self-destruct."
(10/03/91 9:00am)
Chaka Fattah says he is ready to save the American city. Whether Philadelphians will give the state senator and University alum the chance will be seen in next month's election to replace former U.S. Rep. William Gray. Gray, the House Majority Whip who stepped down this summer to take the helm of the United Negro College, was sometimes criticized for being out of touch with his district. But Fattah, who announced his candidacy for Gray's seat last week, is focusing his campaign on questions which he feels are more relevant to the diverse Second District he seeks to represent. Despite his efforts, the state senator, who currently represents the district which includes the University, has been hurt by Tuesday's Commonwealth Court ruling which moved the election for the congressional seat to November 5. Other candidates, particularly former City Councilman and mayoral hopeful Lucien Blackwell, have greater name recognition. And Blackwell, who will likely gain the Democratic Party's nomination, will force Fattah to run as an independant. But Fattah has remained undaunted. "There is no set of circumstances that I forsee that I won't be successful in this election," Fattah said Friday. Fattah, who graduated from the Wharton School and later received his Masters in Government Administration from the University, was elected to the state house in 1982 and to the state senate in 1988. As part of his attempt to address the problems of the Second District and of Philadelphia, Fattah's campaign has harped on what he calls a misuse of federal funds. "[American needs] a different set of priorities at the federal level," Fattah said. "[We are making] smart bombs rather than smart kids." At the foundation of Fattah's agenda is an ambitious program to save U.S. cities. His "American Cities Initiative" calls for the federal government to allocate $100 billion to the nation's largest cities each year for rebuilding infrastructure and addressing social problems such as drugs and crime. Fattah said funding for this program can be found in the vast amounts of money spent on defending foreign countries and on expensive weapons systems such as the Stealth bomber, which he deemed a "failure." "[We are] protecting Europe, an economic competitor, who is well situated to pay for their own defense," Fattah said. Instead, he said federal funding should be used to create an extensive network of drug rehabilitation centers. The centers would treat every person arrested, put on parole or on probation who was addicted to drugs. This, in turn, would help alleviate the crime problem, Fattah said. "91 percent of everyone arrested for a crime in Philadelphia are crack addicts. Unless you treat addiction, they continue to pursue the craving for drugs," Fattah said. While many conservatives would criticize the American Cities program for being another Democratic spending program, Fattah's platform on housing is more in line with conservative Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp. Fattah, who himself admits the program's similarity with Kemp's initiatives, called for taking poor families who are "warehoused" in high-rise projects and putting them into rehabilitated vacant houses throughout the city. Then local community and civic groups would manage the properties. His emphasis on helping his poorer constituents is not a new one, according to State Senator Vincent Fumo (D-Phila.), who said Monday that Fattah has always been "vocal in representing his district." And 27th Ward Democratic Leader Kevin Vaughan, who was a classmate of Fattah's at the University in graduate school, said Fattah was a dynamic and hard working representative of both his constituents and the city. Specifically, Vaughan credited Fattah for his behind-the-scenes work to get area institutions to prepay their taxes to keep Philadelphia solvent last year. Vaughan added that Fattah put together this plan "without taking personal credit for it." Fattah described his positions as reflecting what Winston Churchill called the "politics of remedy." He said that most politicians and their political parties are "at best, reciting the problems and redefining the problems, not solving them." The Associated Press contributed to this article.
(09/25/91 9:00am)
It's piling higher and deeper in University City. From Chestnut Street to Baltimore Avenue, students are back to trashing area sidewalks -- raising the ire of Spruce Hill residents as well as eyebrows at the Philadelphia Streets Department. Residents and city officials said this month's move-in period was an exaggerated beginning to a year during which students living off campus are again setting waste on their sidewalks at wrong times and in inadequate containers. "It is appalling to see mountains of trash loosely strung across the sidewalks with total disregard for what it takes to pick it up," said Philadelphia Streets Commissioner Pete Hoskins. When students place their trash on the curb before proper pick-up times, homeless people as well as animals pick through garbage, leaving behind a smelly mess, according to area residents. That, combined with wind, often strews the trash all over the street, which in turn often clogs gutters. "It is a few students [who] make a lot of mess and leave bags and boxes in front of their apartments," said area resident Janet Golden, who is a visiting scholar in the History and Sociology of Science Department. According to Spruce Hill Community Association President David Hochman, the mess arrives along with students in late August when new residents clean out the remnants of previous tenants. "[Move-in week] is an exaggeration to wild extremes the situation we face year-round," Hochman said. And when trash collection time comes, sanitation workers do not pick up the loose trash, and often even refuse to take trash in broken bags. But area residents say the city is not the party at fault. They place the blame on landlords and students. "Landlords are not providing the means for good trash removal and residents are not doing it," Hochman said. Not only are students unaware when trash is picked up, residents complain, but they also say many students violate a city ordinance by setting out trash before 7 p.m. the night before pickup and fail to place the trash in cans. Melanie Lamond, a longtime resident and real estate salesperson at Urban and Bye Real Estate, said since students will not take the responsibility for the trash, landlords should do it themselves and "assess the costs on to the tenants." But local landlords and students said that it is not always their fault, and many noted that they already obey city regulations. Wharton sophomore Derek Jokelson, who lives on the 4100 block of Pine Street, said Friday that upon the signing of his lease, he and his housemates were told the trash days and instructions for bulk trash removal. Jokelson added that even though his block is "pretty well-kept . . . 39th and Pine Street, I think, is a shithole." College and Wharton junior Eric Palace, who lives on the 4000 block of Spruce Street, said that not only are he and his housemates aware of when their trash is picked up, but he said the problem has subsided since move-in. "The past two weeks, it's been under control," Palace said. "[There are] no huge piles of trash outside the house." As for landlords, when asked who he believes to be the sloppiest landlord in Spruce Hill, Hochman said unequivocally, "University City Housing." But Bill Grebs, co-manager of University City Housing, said his company "spends a lot of time and effort to keep outsides cleaned up." In addition, he said UCH provides private haulers and dumpsters for their "larger complexes." Cheryl Feinberg, manager of Campus Apartments, said her company provides cans for their tenants in houses, who keep the cans in their yards. In Campus Apartments buildings, Feinberg said, there are dumpsters which are handled by a private hauler. Feinberg added that landlords lose control over the trash once it is put out. "Trashmen only take the bags, and if it is not bagged, then they leave it in the street," Feinberg said. Streets Commissioner Hoskins, who toured Spruce Hill when students moved into their off-campus houses and apartments, said the city is not at fault for the area's smelly problem. "It's obvious that the property owners and students have a lot to learn to be responsible about their trash," he said last week. Hoskins said that city sanitation workers can not be expected to pick up trash which spills out onto the street in University City. "In this case, the set-up is so bad it is totally overwhelming to clean up so much loose debris," he said. Adding to the problem is the department's "weak" ability to enforce sanitation codes, Hoskins said. Currently, there is a small sanitation enforcement unit with the Philadelphia Police Department. Hoskins said that the Streets and Walkways Enforcement and Education Program, which is currently being implemented in Center City, allows for the Streets Department to enforce the codes with their own officers. SWEEP could be extended to Spruce Hill in "probably a year," Hoskins said. Hochman said the University can benefit from a cleaner Spruce Hill, and he wants the University help to solve the problem. "Landlords have enormous benefit from being near the University," Hochman said. "[We] need to see the University exercise its influence." But Ellen Zatz, University director of off-campus living, said her office already informs landlords and realtors of the dates of trash pick-up as well as Spruce Hill community clean-ups. She added that in the past, the University had a system of monitoring off-campus properties. But due to a lack of resources to monitor over 10,000 off-campus units, the University is no longer able to run it, she said. Zatz said the Off-Campus Living office, as a "consumer organization," does not guarantee compliance with city sanitation codes. Area residents say the trash problem is not only an aesthetic one. They also are feeling the effect of trash in their pocketbooks because a dirty neighborhood keeps potential buyers away from Spruce Hill. "The worse year-round trash gets, the less likely [we are] to get non-student residents," Hochman said.
(09/24/91 9:00am)
Fast Eddie made a fast exit. At a meet-the-candidates forum last night, all three of Philadelphia's major mayoral candidates gave short speeches and mingled with students to answer questions. All but Democratic candidate Edward Rendell, that is, who after giving a polished, five-minute speech, quickly left the forum. Denise Wolf, chairperson of PPU, added that Rendell's lead in the polls might have led to his exit. "Rendell . . . has the election in the bag. We're expendable in his eyes, unfortunately," Wolf said. Reilly added that Rendell's assistants gave no reason for Rendell's brusque exit. Despite Rendell's unplanned departure, the organizers of the event said the gathering was a success. Reilly said she was "pleased with the turnout" of over 100 people, and also with the number of voters who were in the Castle crowd. In another break with the planned format, Republican Joseph Egan arrived late, prompting a twenty-minute gap in the middle of the program. Beginning by saying that "Philadelphia is at a crossroads," Rendell proceeded with a carefully worded speech primarily dealing with the city's economic problems and education. Rendell said the city is in such dire economic straits that innovations without expenditure are the only answer. For example, in education Rendell proposed to install a health clinic into every high school in the city, to add counseling at all levels and to implement programs for latch-key children. Contrasting Rendell's carefully executed, issue-oriented speech, was independent candidate Dennis Wesley's attack on the "ethical corruption" of city government and the Republican party machine, the Philadelphia press, and the New York-based sources of Rendell's campaign funds. Wesley said the city spends millions of dollars on legal consulting while already having sufficient legal resources in the City Solicitor's office. He also questioned the "40 straight years" of city contracts awarded to Republican party boss William Meehan. "This [Meehan] is a Republican. You know how the Democrats are making out," Wesley said. On the topic of the University paying user fees to the city, Wesley succinctly said, "Oh yes, you got to pay." Wesley mingled with students while the group waited for Egan to arrive. Egan, who was picked by Republican leadership to replace the late Frank Rizzo, said the city's workforce and electorate must be made enthusiastic about the city. But he also said voters should "hold accountable" the Democrats after 40 years in power. "The city is bankrupt fiscally and morally. The work force is totally demoralized," Egan said. Egan did not outline specific programs, but he did call for a change in the City Charter and "Peace Corps in the city." American Civilization Lecturer Frank Luntz, who teaches a class on political consulting, said after the presentations that there was another dimension behind Wesley's independent candidacy besides his desire to change the city. "What the students don't understand is what you saw from Wesley was set up from the Rizzo campaign to divide the [Democratic] vote and get a win for Rizzo," he said. Wharton junior Steven Foecking did not think that the session was very informational. But he was able to form opinions about the individual candidates at the forum, which was co-sponsored by the PPU, Connaissance, and the Castle's Community Service Living-Learning Program. Reflecting the sentiment of other students, Foecking said "Rendell was slick. [You could] tell he was a trained politician."
(09/18/91 9:00am)
They had no idea who was moving into 4504 Kingsessing until well after the deal was closed. But when local residents learned recently that the radical back-to-nature cult MOVE had moved into their Spruce Hill neighborhood, all they could do was hope. Many area leaders said this week that they are hoping their new neighbors, members of the infamous group which was bombed out of their previous house on Osage Avenue in 1985, will be conscientious, law-abiding neighbors. Matthew Wolfe, 27th Ward Republican leader, who lives across Clark Park from the new MOVE house, said he did not know about his new neighbors until a "week before the Inquirer broke the story." According to Fran Opher, block captain of the 4500 block of Kingsessing, when the community discovered the identity of their new neighbors, the initial reaction was "fear [stemming] from the continuation of the past confrontations with police and the city." Once the initial fear subsided, however, community groups began to talk about the situation, and agreed that as long as MOVE caused no disruptions, the neighborhood would accept them without protest. According to Spruce Hill Community Association President David Hochman, emotional residents discussed their new neighbors at a meeting last week. And Kevin Vaughan, 27th Ward Democratic leader and Spruce Hill board member, said last week it was the unanimous feeling of those at the meeting that the residents are willing to peacefully coexist with MOVE. "Spruce Hill will do whatever they can to support everyone on the block, and we hope for good relations between MOVE and other residents," said Vaughan. However, Vaughan and others said that if MOVE members are not willing to be good neighbors, residents hope the city will respond. "We want the city to be vigilant without harassing MOVE," Hochman said. Wolfe added that it was "critically important that the City of Philadelphia makes sure that all city regulations are followed." According to Opher, a number of residents have spoken to MOVE with mixed reaction. Opher said MOVE members "shout" and "don't speak calmly" with the visitors -- behavior which she attributed to "to anxiety on parts of both parties." A disagreement did arise, said Opher, between MOVE and their neighbor over the group's removal of a wall and fence. Opher said a verbal agreement between the two parties was later reached. Despite concerns about the effects of the new Spruce Hill neighbors, Wolfe said he plans to "wander over there soon and -- who knows -- maybe I can register them Republican." Hochman said he does not want the "MOVE people to hijack the agenda of the community." "[We are] not going to let it devour us," Hochman said.
(09/12/91 9:00am)
Distrustful of the University's long-range plans, an area community group voted Tuesday night to strongly oppose a proposed land deal that would give the University the Free Library branch that sits on the edge of Superblock. The board of the Spruce Hill Community Association voted to oppose a City Council resolution which provides for the proposed deal and to urge the Council to appropriate the funds to maintain and update the present building, Spruce Hill president David Hochman said last night. In the proposed deal, first proposed by the administration last year, the University would build a new facility for the library in an eight-story, 750-car parking garage complex to be constructed starting this January catty-corner to the library's current site. Hochman said the group understood that the library was offered "a good deal," but a long history of distrust between area residents and the University was a main reason for rejecting the proposal. "People were troubled by the University's lack of willingness to guarantee the continued standing of the property," said Hochman. In a community meeting Saturday, Eliot Shelkrot, president and director of the Philadelphia Free Library, told residents that to keep the present library site open was not feasible and would cost upwards of $500,000. During the Saturday meeting, area residents voiced skepticism over the planned deal, with many objecting to the swap on historical grounds. The Walnut Street West building is one of several libraries donated by industrialist Andrew Carnegie in the earlier part of the century and is considered to be of historical importance. Kevin Vaughan, 27th Ward Democratic leader and member of the Spruce Hill board, said opposition to the swap is the best move for the residents considering the little amount of information the University has provided to them. Echoing this feeling, Hochman said the community is frustrated that it is "constantly finding out things indirectly, not directly, and have to force input into issues like [the swap]." Hochman said the association notified Cheryl Hopkins, University director of community relations, of their stance as well as the public affairs department of the Free Library. Hochman said that the "flat-out opposition" to the swap was seeded in the history of University expansion into the neighborhood. Despite these feelings, the association has not taken any position on the 40th and Walnut garage complex itself, which will also house the University Police Department and the University Mail Service. But according to Hochman, the association would like Spruce Hill residents to be on an oversight committee for the project. Vaughan, who is also the legislative director for Council member Angel Ortiz, said that the association's recommendation should have a "strong impact." "Councilpeople take very seriously recommendations from community groups," said Vaughan. "The University must spend time talking to the community."
(09/09/91 9:00am)
University-area residents voiced skepticism Saturday morning to a planned land deal in which the University would get the 40th and Walnut street land where the Philadelphia Free Library now stands. In the deal, first proposed by the administration last year, the University would build a new facility for the library in a eight-story, 750-car parking garage complex to be constructed catty-corner to the library's current site. The complex would also house the new headquarters for the University Police Department and the University Mail Service, and would provide ground-floor space fronting Walnut Street for either the library or retail operations. But at a meeting organized by the Spruce Hill Community Association Saturday, area residents said they were concerned about the adequacy of the proposed new facility and questioned the fate of current site and its 85-year-old building. During the first hour of the meeting, University officials, including Treasurer Scott Lederman and Police Commissioner John Kuprevich, joined library officials to present different explanations in support of the proposal. Lederman said during his presentation that the present library building, located at the edge of Superblock, could be used as a "focus for community volunteer programs." But he said he could not guarantee the University would not demolish the 85-year-old building. Lederman said the complex, which he estimated will cost between $12 and $13 million, is scheduled to open in the spring of 1993. He added that other long-term plans for the area include the construction of more student and faculty residences. During the second hour of the meeting, several of the 50 Spruce Hill residents in attendance spoke emotionally as they described the project as another major University project affecting the community planned without input from residents. At times, the question-and-answer period degenerated into simply a criticism of the University's lack of involvement of its neighbors in its development of major projects. But when speaking on the proposed land deal, residents said they were not only concerned that the building could be torn down, but also questioned how the new complex will affect Walnut Street and the neighborhoods immediately surrounding it. State Representative Jim Roebuck (D-West Philadelphia) said he was concerned that the expansion of retail space on Walnut Street would compound existing congestion problems, and noted that there would be a shortage of customer parking. Michael Hardy of the University City Historical Society said the library, which is one of many libraries donated by industrialist Andrew Carnegie, should be designated as a historic landmark. He said he would use an obscure clause in the title of the donated land to fight the land deal. But Eliot Shelkrot, President and Director of the Free Library, said he supports the deal because the city can not afford the maintenance required by the current building. He estimated that necessary repairs, including replacement of the leaky 30-year-old roof, installation of sprinklers and modification for handicapped access could cost $500,000. In addition, Shelkrot said the deal is the only way to provide the community uninterrupted access to the library, which recently was reopened after a three-year asbestos removal project. In the garage complex, the library would have over 600 square feet more usable space than the current building. The current facility has a larger total area, but flooding has rendered the basement meeting rooms unusable. The new library could also be designed with modern library design techniques, as well as a meeting room for 60 people and special facilities for the handicapped. And though building architect Keith Moch assured the group that fresh air would be provided through an air intake on the building's roof, residents were concerned that the there is no space for future expansion. University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said the new police headquarters not only would provide more space but would also be able to "serve the University and serve the University community" better. In addition, Kuprevich said the move would have a "direct impact on safety" in one of the highest crime areas on campus. David Hochman, president of the Spruce Hill Community Association, said he was pleased with the meeting and an official position by the association would be made after a meeting Tuesday. "[We might] go with the deal or maybe go with a better deal," Hochman said. Staff writer Scott Calvert contributed to this story.
(04/24/91 9:00am)
The members and local alumni of the University chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity rejected the University's proposed settlement despite the national organization's willingness to accept it, a Phi Sig national officer said yesterday. Tom Recker, national executive vice president of Phi Sig, said the rejected settlement of hazing and alcohol misuse charges called for placing the fraternity on probation for at least three years and instituting an approved live-in advisor in Phi Sig's Locust Walk house. Other provisions of the settlement included placing the house on "social probation" for at least one year, reviewing the fraternity's "new member" education program and constitutional by-laws, the chapter's submitting a detailed rush program, and possibly creating a chapter judicial board, Recker said. In addition, Recker said the Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Board would review Phi Sig's progress in the spring of 1992 and 1993 and the house would have to begin an on-going community service project. According to University fraternity and sorority recognition policy, probation is the third harshest penalty given to a chapter, after suspension and revocation of its charter. The University offered a settlement to Phi Sig at the end of last week for charges brought against the house stemming from a January 18 incident in which an intoxicated rush entered the Locust Walk house, drank more alcohol in a drinking game, had shaving cream sprayed on his head and was drawn on with magic marker, according to Recker's account of the Judicial Inquiry Officer's list of charges against the fraternity. He said the University chapter of Phi Sig rejected the settlement terms because they want an opportunity to have their case reviewed in a hearing. "The undergraduate chapter wanted to take it to a hearing," Recker said. "[They] didn't want to look like they were pleading guilty." Recker added the national organization wants the action it has taken against the University chapter to have a chance to go into effect. Last month, the national organization removed five brothers from the University chapter as part of a reorganization process. The placing of a live-in advisor into a fraternity or sorority is encouraged by many national organizations, Recker said. But he added that it has not been a common practice since the 1960s due in part to the high cost of funding one. Phi Sig president Bill Jaffe refused to comment last night on the settlement and Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs director Tricia Phaup was unavailable for comment. Vice Provost for University Life Kim Morrisson said she does not usually get involved in settlement discussions. Morrisson would not comment on the settlement since she gives the final decision on the status of the chapter after the recommendation of the FSAB. There is no guarantee that the FSAB will pass a lighter punishment than the one offered in the settlement. The board has often handed down different sentences than those recommended to it. Last year, for example, the JIO recommended a five-year suspension of Psi Upsilon fraternity for the kidnapping of Delta Psi brother. The FSAB decided instead to revoke Psi U's charter indefinitely. The most recent reported instance of a fraternity being placed on probation was last year when Pi Kappa Alpha was given the status for a number of violations of University policy, including a pledge prank involving an ill horse. Other incidents of fraternities being placed on probation include in 1988 when Phi Gamma Delta and Phi Delta Theta were placed on probation for one year for having strippers at a rush event. Staff writer Emily Culbertson contributed to this article. (CUT LINE) Please see PHI SIG, page 14 PHI SIG, from page 1 !!!!!!!!!!FOR MIT STORY!!!!!!!!!!! The Associated Press contributed to this story.
(04/22/91 9:00am)
It may have lacked James Brown, but Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity brothers still found a way to sit in a hot tub for 48 hours and raise money for a good cause last week.
(04/17/91 9:00am)
Judicial Inquiry Officer Constance Goodman is investigating the Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity for two separate University policy violations, the JIO said Monday night. Goodman said yesterday she is investigating an incident which occurred in February and one which occurred in March, adding that she has not yet determined if the fraternity is collectively responsible for the violations. She said she is still interviewing individuals possibly involved in the incidents. "I hope to bring it [the investigation] to closure soon," Goodman said. David Lazar, the president of the University's TEP alumni organization and head of the national fraternity's investigation, said yesterday he is also investigating two incidents which concern "violations of the University guidelines for conduct." Jonathan Seidel, national executive director of TEP, said last week that TEP national is investigating four alleged violations of national fraternity policy. Lazar said the violations are "the kind of things I think that every group, not just fraternities, has at one time or another experienced." But he added that this "doesn't in any way minimize the gravity of the situation or the guilt or innocence of the fraternity." TEP has been temporarily suspended from holding any activities pending the completion of the national organization's and the JIO's probes. Executive Director Seidel said Monday he would not comment on the process or content of the national organization's investigation. He said the national organization will be releasing a full report of its findings to the University when it finishes its investigation, and Lazar said he will make the findings public when the interviews and probe are completed. Both Lazar and Seidel added there is no deadline for the completion of their investigation. Local alumni, who are also members of the national alumni board, and Seidel met with the old and new executive boards of the University's TEP chapter and with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Thursday, Lazar said. Lazar said he and the other TEP representatives told OFSA that the alumni and national organization are "concerned about the violations and want to work with OFSA and the [University] chapter in order to address the violations and do what we can to improve the situation." He said OFSA and TEP representatives also discussed "what the investigatory process wil be like and how we can help them." Seidel said he sees no conflict of interest in the arrangement allowing alumni from the University chapter to investigate their old chapter. (CUT LINE) Please see TEP, page 7 TEP, from page 1
(04/16/91 9:00am)
Judicial Inquiry Officer Constance Goodman has found the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity collectively responsible for charges of alcohol misuse and hazing at its Locust Walk house January 18. Goodman has prepared a list of charges against the fraternity and will take her case to the Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Board later this month unless she or the fraternity and sorority affairs director reaches a settlement with the chapter first. Goodman's charges concern "possible alcohol misuse [during] a pledging activity, and . . . the allegation of possible hazing," National Phi Sig Executive Vice President Tom Recker said last night. Goodman said last night she has found the fraternity as a whole responsible in the case and consulted OFSA in drawing up the charges. "The charges address University, city and state violations," said Goodman. If the case goes before the FSAB, the board will hold closed hearings on the charges. The board will then reach its own findings of fact on each of the charges and recommend a course of action to the Vice Provost for University Life. According to University's fraternity and sorority recognition policy, Phi Sig could receive an "administrative warning", be placed on probation, have its recognition suspended or have its recognition withdrawn. Phi Sig President Bill Jaffe said the "possible trial date" is next Thursday. The national organization has already taken action against the University chapter for the incident. Five brothers were removed from the undergraduate chapter last month as part of a reorganization process. One other brother voluntarily removed himself from the house by refusing to participate in the interview process. Recker said Goodman's list of charges said an intoxicated Phi Sig rush entered the Locust Walk house, drank more alcohol in a drinking game, had shaving cream sprayed on his head and was drawn on with magic marker. The rush then walked back to his dormitory where his resident adviser reported the incident. Recker added the report inferred "that it was forced alcohol consumption by peer pressure," which would be a violation of the University's and the state's anti-hazing regulations. Jaffe said he disputes Goodman's charges of alcohol consumption and of writing on the rush's face. He said there was no drinking game at the Phi Sig house, only a group of people informally drinking in the house. Jaffe said the rush was not forced to drink. He added the rush tried to grab some alcohol, but "he was physically restrained from drinking more since he was in an obvious state of intoxication." Jaffe said Goodman and the national organization investigated reports that Ben-Gay was put on the rush's genitals or the rush was forced to put some of the cream on himself, and determined they were unfounded. He said the rumor was started by a "misunderstanding" from a conversation the rush had with a brother. "[The allegations] are absolutely not true," Jaffe said. "The findings by national and the JIO found it not to be true." There are no names mentioned in the University's report, Recker said, so he could not say if the brothers involved were the same five brothers removed from the Phi Sig chapter. Jaffe said "very few brothers" were involved in the incident, but he would not say if they are still members of the undergraduate chapter. He added he disagreed with Goodman's finding of collective responsibility because the incident was only "the unfortunate action of a few members of the chapter." Both Jaffe and Recker said the reorganization of the University chapter, the second strongest action the national can take besides revocation of the charter, was "appropriate" and they hoped the University would allow it to take effect. If a hearing before the FSAB takes place, Phi Sig is allowed an advisor from its local or national organization to be present. Both Recker and Jaffe said they have not decided who this person will be.
(04/09/91 9:00am)
Jump-shots were not the only thing hitting their mark at Shooting for a Cause last weekend. Zeta Beta Tau and Phi Delta Theta's goal of raising money and awareness for the homeless was also right on target, according to Adam Miller, head of the five-day philanthropy event. According to ZBT brother Miller, Shooting for a Cause raised at least $10,000 for Dignity Housing and The Employment Project, which provides assistance in finding homes and jobs for homeless people. The five-day series of events included a panel discussion on the homelessness moderated by Mayor Wilson Goode, parties at local clubs, an a capella concert and basketball tournaments for area fraternities and sororities. The panel discussion entitled, "Homelessness in Our Country, Our Cities, and in Our Backyard" was attended by over 100 people, Miller said. "It was obviously very enlightening because there were many questions asked by students," the Wharton senior said. Miller also said the event raised people's consciousness of the homeless problem and how it can be dealt with. "[Shooting For a Cause] raised awareness among the general public that the homelessness problem is much more complex, and much more solvable than is normally perceived," he said. Fraternities and sororities from the University, Temple, La Salle, Villanova, Drexel, and St. Joseph's universities participated in the two basketball tournaments at Hutchinson Gymnasium and at the Palestra. Many of the players said they felt good about the competition and the cause. "I definitely enjoyed it. It is for a good cause," said College sophomore Michael Rosenbend during one of the fraternity semi-final games. Another player, ZBT brother Marc Getman, said that he also enjoyed playing in the tournament because everyone "feels good" knowing they're playing for charity. Each team had to pay an entry fee to play in the tournament which went towards the charity. Miller added that even though the economy is in a recession and obtaining corporate sponsorship for philanthropic events is difficult, Shooting for a Cause did "well, considering these circumstances." The sorority tournament ended in a tie between the University chapters of Sigma Delta Tau and Phi Sigma Sigma. The winner of the fraternity tournament was the Villanova University chapter of Alpha Phi Delta. The winning teams were presented with trophies by Mayor Goode.
(04/09/91 9:00am)
Mike D'Esopo, treasurer of the senior class board, said Sunday night Sifontes was disqualified from the race because she was "mentioned in the DP during campaigning." Election rules state there is no appeals procedure "above the senior class board of 1991." Nevertheless, Sifontes said she plans to contact the Student Activities Council Steering Committee to file a grievance. The rules governing the election restrict candidates' exposure and publicity during the campaign. The Undergraduate Assembly had a similar "gag rule" until the Nominations and Elections Committee removed it in 1988. A few senior class board candidates, including Sifontes, said they were never fully informed of the rule. In addition, it is unclear if Sifontes was disqualified according to guidlelines established in the election code. D'Esopo admitted Sifontes might not have heard the prohibition explained at the introductory meetings, but added "I am sure it was said." Sifontes said yesterday she does not recall the senior class board warning the candidates they could not appear in the newspaper. Another candidate for senior board said she also does not recall the senior board specifically banning mention in the DP. Yet another candidate said she specifically remembered the board mentioning such a prohibition, and others do not remember if it was said or not. The election code for senior class board elections for the Class of 1992 does not specifically state a ban on appearing in the DP. The only time candidates are explicitly permitted to have their names and comments in the paper is in a prepared statement every candidate is entitled to. The code reads as follows: "No other printed publicity is permitted regarding your candidacy. A candidate is responsible for any press regarding his/her candidacy." According to D'Esopo, the senior class board interpreted the code as "not to allow any other press whatsoever." He said the board maintains this rule so no candidate could receive more publicity than others. The election code states any complaints regarding violations of the code must be submitted in writing by a member of the University community to the Office of Student Life Activities. Then the candidate "will be given the opportunity to appear before the Class of 1991 Board to present his/her case," the code reads. Sifontes was disqualified over the weekend, but Albert Moore, assistant director for Student Life Activities and Facilities and an advisor to the senior class board, said that no complaints were filed with OSLA as of the end of the last working day of last week. "As of five o'clock Friday afternoon, I have received absolutely no complaints or grievances from any one in the University community," Moore said. In addition, Sifontes may not have had sufficient opportunity to defend herself before board members took steps to strike her from the ballot. Sifontes said she received a message that D'Esopo had called her at 9:30 p.m. Sunday evening. The message said she could attend the senior class board meeting at 10 p.m. to decide her status in the election. When she arrived a half-hour into the meeting, Sifontes said, the board had already begun discussing the issue. When she began to tell her story, Sifontes said she was interrupted repeatedly. "I couldn't really express myself because in the beginning [of the proceedings], I was interrupted several times," said Sifontes."[It was] not an appeals procedure. They had a decision made in their minds." On Sunday afternoon, hours before the meeting on Sifontes' disqualification, Anouk Wasserman, Wharton representative to the senior class board and co-chair of the elections, came to the DP office to remove Sifontes' statement from the board's advertisement in Monday's paper, a DP office worker said. The election code states a candidate can only be disqualified after a senior board hearing about a written complaint. Sifontes said D'Esopo has not produced a copy of the written complaint to her. In addition, the board first said there was no grievance, then it was a "concern of the senior class board," then it was a written grievance, Sifontes said.
