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(03/05/99 10:00am)
Penn and city officials said the U. alum could teach in Urban Studies When some Penn students look at their schedules next fall, many may be surprised to see a name that appears to be out of place -- Professor Edward Rendell. According to both University and City Hall officials, Philadelphia's outgoing mayor could be teaching a course at Penn as early as next fall. "[Rendell] has talked about the possibility of teaching," mayoral spokesperson Kevin Feeley said. "I wouldn't be at all surprised if he popped up in a classroom. There's a distinct possibility." Feeley added that the mayor -- a Penn alumnus -- has not agreed to an official deal with the University, and his name is not listed in the fall on-line course timetable. School of Arts and Sciences Dean Samuel Preston confirmed that Rendell could join Penn's roster of distinguished professors, though he was unsure whether Rendell would begin teaching in the fall or wait for the spring semester, after his term expires on December 31. "I believe the rumor is correct," Preston said. "We have endeavored to secure his teaching services in the Urban Studies Department and we're hoping he'll accept." Rendell, whose son is a College freshman, would likely be teaching a course in urban politics. Michael Katz, a Penn History professor and co-director of the Urban Studies Department's graduate certificate program, emphasized that Rendell has yet to announce his future plans but that he would be a fine addition to the Penn faculty. "I think it's safe to say that many of us would like to have him teach, but that is clearly his decision," Katz said. "He'll just have to make that [decision] in due time." In the past few years, Rendell has been in the national spotlight for his innovative approach to urban recovery and development, earning the title of "America's Mayor" from Vice President Al Gore. Rendell is widely expected to run for higher office in the future, possibly for the U.S. Senate in 2000 or for governor in 2002. When he succeeded Mayor Wilson Goode in 1992, Rendell took the helm of a struggling Philadelphia on the verge of bankruptcy, with annual deficits running as high as $200 million. Since then, Rendell led the nation's fifth-largest city to six consecutive years of budget surpluses, oversaw the construction of a new convention center -- which will house the 2000 Republican National Convention -- and helped reform city fiscal policy after a showdown with the city's municipal unions. Before winning election in 1992, Rendell served as city district attorney in the 1980s. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1986 and for mayor in 1987. Rendell's possible arrival as a professor will not be his first visit to the University. A 1965 College graduate, Rendell traces his political roots to Penn's Undergraduate Student Government, where he served as vice president. And any Quakers basketball fan can attest to Rendell's enthusiastic support at the Palestra at almost every Penn home game, as well as the road game at Princeton where the team won the Ivy League title Tuesday.
(03/05/99 10:00am)
State Rep. Dwight Evans looks to weather a campaign that has already seen some controversy. Democratic mayoral candidate Dwight Evans, a La Salle University graduate, is quick to joke about the time when his alma mater beat Penn in basketball during his college days. But the Pennsylvania state representative says he won't hold that rivalry against the University if he is elected -- and in fact, Penn plays a major role in his vision for the city. With a crowded field where five Democrats are facing off in the May 18 primary, Evans is looking to distinguish himself from his opponents with his political experience and unique approach to the city's problems. "I think the difference [between the other candidates and myself] is the actions I've been able to show in terms of my leadership and making a difference, making things happen and getting things done," Evans said in an interview last month. According to Evans, his time as a state representative in Harrisburg has left him with many invaluable personal relationships and connections, as well as "the ability to attract some of the best people around" to the city -- two qualities that Evans says will help him if he is elected the next mayor of Philadelphia. Evans -- who represents Philadelphia in the State House -- stressed the importance of higher education for the city's future, explaining that he would like Philadelphia to become an "education center." "It seems to me that we need to understand, as a major educational institution as well as a major employer, that what happens at Penn is, in my view, very important in terms of what takes place in the City of Philadelphia," Evans noted. Like some of his competitors in this year's mayoral race, Evans said that Penn provides a deep pool of qualified people for the job market but the key to the city's growing success is to make these graduates remain in Philadelphia. "I think Penn attracts research and development dollars, it attracts students to the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," he said. "And obviously we now need to find a way of how we keep those students staying in the city of Philadelphia." Evans explained that as mayor he would like to organize regular meetings with the presidents of Philadelphia's higher educational institutions "so that we can work the city's agenda in conjunction with the colleges and universities." "The next mayor has to have, on his or her agenda, a higher education strategy," he added. In several polls -- including one conducted by the Annenberg School for Communication last year -- Philadelphia voters have identified crime and the economy as two of the major issues facing the successor to the outgoing Mayor Ed Rendell. Evans said he believes crime prevention will add to the economic spark triggered under the Rendell administration. "Policing, in my view, goes hand in hand when you begin talking about economic growth and economic opportunity because there must be safe streets and safe communities when you are talking about making a difference in our communities," he said. Evans explained that the next mayor will have to build on Rendell's success at a time which may prove to be even more difficult than when Rendell first took office in 1992. "I think the challenges are much more tough than when Rendell got elected because [the issues] are beyond the muscle," Evans said. "They're into the bone of the city." Many political analysts have said that race will likely be significant in this year's election, which features three African-American candidates. Some black leaders have called on one of the three -- which also includes former City Council President John Street and former Philadelphia Housing Authority head John White -- to withdraw in an effort to keep the black voting bloc behind one candidate. Evans' campaign was sidetracked last week, when one of his aides was connected to a bogus World Wide Web site that claimed to be White's official campaign page. The site contained a racially inflammatory comment from an interview with a Spanish-language newspaper. White maintains that the quote was taken out of context. Evans denied any knowledge or involvement in the scandal and he accepted the resignation of his campaign manager and fired his deputy campaign manager. Still, though he hired a new campaign manager earlier this week, it remains to be seen whether he can recover from the setback. Following the incident, Evans said that he wanted Philadelphians to look past what he called an example of "dirty tricks," emphasizing that the city has more serious business to attend to. And Evans' statements last month were consistent with this pledge to look beyond race as a major issue. "We need a new type of leadership that is about bringing people together, not pitting people against each other," Evans said. "I think in the end people will make a decision about who they think best has the ability to lead this city and lead it in a positive way."
(03/02/99 10:00am)
Over 15,000 Philadelphians will lose assistance tomorrow as a statewide benefits cap is enforced. As the clock ticks down for the more than 15,000 Philadelphians who will be cut from state welfare rolls tomorrow, the city is busy preparing for a situation that officials say they "don't have the ability to bear." A 1997 Pennsylvania state law, passed as a result of President Clinton's 1996 welfare reform bill, takes away welfare benefits for people who have been receiving them for two consecutive years. Once those two years are up, recipients can receive additional benefits for three more years only as long as they are engaged in 20 hours a week of specified "work activity." Tomorrow is the two-year anniversary of the state bill going into effect. But officials and community leaders have maintained that the jobs simply do not exist. "It's a prescription for disaster," said Kevin Feeley, a spokesperson for Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell. "It has a ripple effect all across city government. It is the train wreck that has been expected to come for two years. It's a very, very scary situation." According to a recent study by the Harrisburg-based Keystone Research Center, Philadelphia's unemployed outnumber available jobs by a 3-to-1 ratio. The figure is 6-to-1 for jobs that pay enough to support a family -- wages between $8.83 and $12.29 per hour. For years, Philadelphia has been burdened by high unemployment and low job growth. But Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare spokesperson Susan Aspey defended the law, noting that if recipients follow the new rules, the legislation will help rather than hurt them. "I think there's a lot of predictions of gloom and doom out there and that's just not going to happen," Aspey said. Aspey described the law as "a very compassionate approach to welfare," explaining that the state will defray the cost of child care and transportation in order to help people find permanent jobs that will make them self-sufficient. "It pays to work," Aspey added. "We're doing everything to reach out and help individuals but they've got to reach out too and help themselves." Recipients who exceed the two-year period will be required to meet with a caseworker to discuss ways of meeting the work rule and getting off welfare. People then have 10 days to find some type of work -- ranging from paid jobs to on-the-job training to community service -- or they will be required to attend a job search program. Ultimately, those who do not make any attempt to follow the necessary procedures will temporarily lose cash assistance and, after three violations, lose cash assistance forever. "If people are defiant and don't want to to follow the rules, the state is not to blame," Aspey said. The law also says that cash assistance is only available for a lifetime total of five years; after that, people must support themselves. Though the state Department of Public Welfare approximates that 23,106 Philadelphians will hit the two-year mark tomorrow, about 6,800 of them -- single parents without child care and people with mental or physical disabilities, among others -- will qualify for a temporary exemption from the law. Donna Cooper, Philadelphia's deputy mayor for policy and planning, voiced her disapproval with the law, explaining that many problems could result from miscommunication between caseworkers and welfare clients. "The ability of someone to succeed [under the legislation] depends on their caseworker," Cooper said. "There's no telling whether a caseworker will understand. Up until now, they haven't." Cooper estimated that roughly 90 percent of welfare recipients are single mothers and echoed the worries of many people who say that crime and homelessness could rise due to the law's effect. "Every day, more women hit their two-year clock," she said. "We're going to have a lot of stress and confusion. We can hope we don't see any tragedy, but when women are faced with the fact that they may not be able to feed their children, we may see something tragic." Sue Gibbons, the board president of the homeless-advocacy group University City Hospitality Coalition, said while she supports the law's intent, the thousands of people expected to be cut off may not be adequately prepared for the competitive job market. "I think that the ideas behind the law are good ones," said Gibbons, whose organization cares for the homeless and needy in University City. "I think that a great deal of time needs to be spent on training people for sustainable jobs and that's where I think the rub is." As the law goes into effect, opponents are organizing a demonstration to be held in Center City tomorrow morning. The "funeral procession and civil disobedience," as it is being billed, will form at the State Office Building at Broad and Spring Garden streets and will end at the Liberty Bell at 5th and Market streets.
(03/01/99 10:00am)
State Rep. Dwight Evans' campaign manager resigned and an aide was fired over a fake Web site created to hurt rival John White. Mayoral candidate and State Rep. Dwight Evans accepted the resignation of his campaign manager and fired another top aide after discovering a connection between his office and a bogus World Wide Web site designed to damage a rival candidate. Campaign Manager Jack Fugett resigned Friday at the same time as Evans fired Deputy Campaign Manager David Sirota, a 23-year-old Northwestern University graduate, after learning that an acquaintance of Sirota's had created the controversial site, which posed as rival John White's official campaign page. The Web site highlighted a quote -- which White claims was taken greatly out of context -- from an interview with the Spanish-speaking newspaper Al Dia. In English, the quote reads: "The black and the brown, if we unite, we're going to control the city." White, a former head of the Philadelphia Housing Authority, said that the quote was misconstrued as a racially motivated comment aimed at minority voters, while the intended meaning was that African Americans and Latinos could achieve higher political standing by working together. Both Evans and White are African American. Members of Philadelphia's African-American community have for months called on either Evans or White to withdraw from the race so that the black vote will not be split between them and the race's frontrunner, former City Council President John Street. Though Evans has publically apologized and denied any knowledge of the Web site's creation, the scandal has already taken its toll on this year's election. "It was pretty wild," said White Campaign Manager Dean Levitan. "We had been cybersmeared. We took very quick action letting people know that wasn't our Web site and that the quote was taken out of context. But what really angered us is that the Web site stayed up." Yesterday, Evans explained that he viewed the issue as a closed matter, adding that Philadelphia voters should pay attention to the city's problems instead of the scandal. "As far as I'm concerned, it is put away," Evans said in a telephone interview. "I took the necessary action on Friday when I indicated I wanted no association with it. We've got some very important issues in this campaign and we've got to concentrate on them." Levitan emphasized that White has received a number of positive phone calls in response to an incident he described as "an embarrassment to the city," but which has in turn helped White increase his name recognition among voters. "We've taken a step up as a campaign," Levitan said. "What's important is what we do with it next. People in the streets are calling for support for John and not attacking anyone else. We want to make sure it continues on this path. Right now, it's going very well and it's getting stronger everyday." Levitan noted that the White campaign is not pursuing legal action and is not asking Evans to drop out of the race, but that he would like him to further correct problems resulting from the mishap. "We want him to assess his campaign after this very strong wound," Levitan said. "I don't know what he knew. He said he didn't [know about the Web site] and I have no reason not to take his word. I just wish he had called for the Web site to be taken down earlier. I think he needs to apologize to the people of Philadelphia." David Dougherty, campaign manager for Democratic candidate and former City Council member Happy Fernandez, said that he was unsure of how the scandal would affect the election, but that he hoped the campaigns could return to business as usual. Dougherty described the Web site as "an example of gaining political ground by dividing people," adding that the city would benefit from looking past the incident. "The sooner it's behind all of us, the better," he said. "An issues-based campaign is best for us and for Philadelphia. And anything that detracts from that? is just not in the best interest of the city. We want to continue to talk about the important issues."
(02/26/99 10:00am)
The City of Philadelphia has not elected a Republican mayor since Harry Truman was in the White House, which makes Sam Katz's quest for the office a decidedly up-hill battle. But although Democrats outnumber Republicans three to one in the city, many people -- especially Katz himself -- believe that this year could be the one when a Republican finally takes the helm of the City of Brotherly Love. With his varied background in the world of business, the 49-year-old Johns Hopkins University graduate believes he brings to the table a breadth of experience and stances on the city's problems that will enable him to overcome Philadelphia's long tradition of Democratic mayors. He is the only person running for the Republican nomination and will face off against one of five Democratic candidates in the November 5 general election. "I think this year is going to be my year," Katz said in an interview with The Daily Pennsylvanian earlier this month. "What I'm going to be talking about are the right issues. I feel confident that if I don't win this election, it won't be because I'm a Republican." Ed Schwartz, president of the Institute for the Study of Civic Values, called Katz a "a very strong candidate," though his party affiliation will likely hinder his campaign. "He certainly has the best chance of any Republican [in almost 30 years]," Schwartz said. "I think he has a much better chance than a lot of others but I think he will have to carry the burden of his party in this city." As an investment banker and financial advisor with his own planning company, Katz brings a sense of business savvy to his campaign. And as mayor, he says this background would help continue the economic growth sparked by outgoing Mayor Edward Rendell. In Katz's eyes, the key to much of Philadelphia's future economic success will be a significant reduction in the wage tax -- something that Rendell was not able to accomplish -- which many analysts say has driven the city's population down in recent years. "With all the success and admiration for what Ed's done, he hasn't brought the wage tax down 10 percent in his [two terms]," Katz said. Katz emphasized that losing residents has severely damaged the city by decreasing the city's tax base and its influence on the state and federal governments. Reducing the tax, Katz added, will encourage people to come back. "There is nothing that has done more to drive people out of the city than the wage tax," Katz explained. "I think a much deeper and much faster tax cut is needed for the city." Like Rendell, Katz said that the city must be careful in how it spends its limited resources to ensure that Philadelphia is never again in the financial crisis that burdened it earlier this decade. "We have to find more ways to spend less money and deliver either the same quality of service or question whether some of the services are even essential to the city," Katz said. While Katz offered praise for the Rendell administration, he said the city's outgoing mayor "failed to make significant progress" in areas like crime. "I might think that he didn't go far enough," Katz said. "But I can't criticize what he accomplished. All I can do is try to build on it and take advantage of the positive spirit he created." With Philadelphia voters also identifying crime as a major concern, Katz expressed his discontent for the city's inadequate prison facilities, which have only enough space for those convicted of severe crimes. Katz added that he supports Rendell's recent gun control efforts but that he is "not convinced there is a legitimate case" for the city to sue the gun industry, a proposal that Rendell has been contemplating for over a year. However, with fellow candidate Dwight Evans announcing on Tuesday that his first priority as mayor would be to sue gun manufacturers, Katz Campaign Director Bob Barnett said that his candidate would consider a suit if elected. Unlike some of his competitors, Katz said he doesn't believe that the state of Philadelphia's troubled public school system is a major campaign issue, saying that "no more than 20 percent of families living in Philadelphia have school-aged children." "While [education] is a hot issue, it doesn't truly affect nearly the number of people that you might at first think," he noted. Katz -- a Philadelphia public school graduate and former school board member -- said that while he thinks the next mayor should be "directly involved in public schools," public education is "not the sole vehicle for improving education opportunity," adding that he supports charter schools. Though Katz's professional career traces mostly through the private sector, he ran for mayor of Philadelphia in 1991 and governor of Pennsylvania in 1994. He said he has learned a lot from his previous campaign experience. "I probably made a lot of mistakes in my first two campaigns," Katz said. "I'm seasoned. I've been tested. I have the decided advantage over [the other candidates] in that I've experienced losing and I think most of what I've learned in life I learned from my failures and my losses."
(02/25/99 10:00am)
Many club sports athletes said they like the plans to renovate two fields. Penn club sports athletes expressed a general consensus of support for the announcement made Tuesday by University officials calling for a $2 million overhaul for both Bower and Murphy fields. At the close of this year's baseball season, a new 1,000-seat baseball stadium will be built at Murphy Field, formerly a club sport space, while Bower Field -- where the current baseball park sits -- will become recreation space for club and intramural sports teams. Students and faculty have long complained about Penn's lack of adequate recreational facilities --Eespecially club sport space -- but many are now praising a plan that University officials hope will make the east end of campus a center for organized athletics. "I'm kind of glad there's been a decision," Recreation Director Mike Diorka said. "For those that have patience, good things will come. What we're hopefully going to get out of this is a quality facility for recreation." College junior Jason Miller, co-captain of the men's Ultimate Frisbee team, said he was happy with the announcement and what it will mean to the future of Penn recreation sports. "It seems that what they're planning to do will definitely be an improvement," Miller said. "I definitely think this is a step in the right direction. They're finally making some progress." Renovations on Bower Field -- which will include resodding and lighting for nighttime use -- are scheduled to be completed in September, while the new Murphy Field is expected to be up and running for the 2000 baseball season. Though most student athletes are enthusiastic about the project, some complained that the University failed to communicate with the groups it was trying to help. "[The University] really told us the bare minimum, sort of keeping us in the dark," said College junior Alex Snyder, treasurer of the men's rugby team. "There's been a lot of anger -- not really directed at anybody specifically but at the University in general." Much of this discontent stems from the fact that since construction on a water chiller plant on Murphy Field began earlier this semester, club and intramural teams have been moved to Hill Field -- a temporary home that athletes have derided as unacceptable. Athletic Director Steve Bilsky said on Tuesday that during the construction period, club athletes will have access to Franklin Field and the University will install temporary nighttime lighting on Hill Field. Snyder explained that players using Hill Field must contend with uneven grass and manhole covers, while Engineering junior Ava Segal, captain of the women's ultimate frisbee team, added that her team has suffered "a lot of injuries." However, Engineering senior Matt Liebhold, the men's Ultimate Frisbee team representative to the Sports Club Council, said that although Hill Field is not the most ideal location, it serves the purpose as a temporary measure. "[Hill] may not be the best place but it's better than nothing," Liebhold said. "I just think that the Recreation Department has done a really good job trying to help and work with us. It's nice to have a place to play." Many athletes said they were willing to deal with a lesser accommodations, knowing that greener pastures are just a few months away. "Right now, we're kind of paying for [the renovations]," Segal said. "But you have to take one for your team."
(02/24/99 10:00am)
State Rep. Dwight Evans said that as major, he would sue for the costs of gun violence. With Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell still unsure of his stance on the issue he helped bring to the forefront, State Representative and mayoral candidate Dwight Evans issued a press release yesterday stating that his first order of business if elected mayor of Philadelphia would be to file a lawsuit against gun manufacturers. In the statement, Evans -- one of five candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in the May 18 primary -- expressed his strong desire to seek legal action while daring his fellow candidates to make a similar promise. "This isn't Dodge City, it's the City of Brotherly Love," Evans said. "As mayor, my first act will be to sue gun manufacturers on behalf of all of us. With that in mind, I challenge every one of my opponents to commit to suing those gun manufacturers if he or she is elected mayor." Evans explained in the statement that his legislative efforts in Harrisburg -- including a requirement for gun locks and the "One Gun a Month" program which limits gun purchases -- would have difficulty surviving without the help of a gun-related lawsuit. The mayoral candidate has introduced similar legislation in the past, but officials in Harrisburg and the National Rifle Association have shot it down, claiming that limited gun sales would hurt hunters and law-abiding gun enthusiasts. Like many other urban areas in America, Philadelphia has long been plagued by gun violence. In 1996, 80 percent of the city's homicides were committed using guns. For more than a year, Rendell had contemplated suing the gun industry as part of a nationwide plan that he helped conceive. But recently, he has been reluctant to join cities like Chicago and New Orleans in trying to hold gun manufacturers financially responsible for the effects of gun violence. David Sirota, Evans' deputy campaign manager, said the candidate hopes to build on the foundation of gun control Rendell has established, adding that Evans' stepping forward will help raise the bar in this year's election. "We have a mayor who has taken some leadership on this issue, but it's a matter of taking it one more step," Sirota said. "We hope that the other candidates take our lead." Recently, Evans has drawn attention for his support of riverboat gambling legislation in Harrisburg, but his opponents claim that yesterday's release could be used as a tool to help improve his relatively low public recognition. "[Evans] has certainly tried to make his mark on the campaign by advocating riverboat gambling to pay for education," said David Dougherty, campaign manager for Democratic candidate Happy Fernandez. "So he might be looking for another way to distinguish himself." Dougherty noted that Fernandez is also focused on gun violence prevention, adding that she would consider filing a lawsuit against gun manufacturers in addition to other proactive measures. "She's committed to trying to bring some sanity to the process which allows criminals and kids to have access to firearms, and this lawsuit can be one of these elements in addressing one of these problems," Dougherty said. "But it's a more complex problem than can be solved by a lawsuit." Evans' campaign manager denied that the candidate's strong stance on gun control is based on any ulterior motives in connection with the race to City Hall. "It transcends the election," Sirota said. "This has been a constant battle for Dwight. Now that he's running for mayor, he's taking the lead to push for this." Bob Barnett, campaign director for Republican candidate Sam Katz, dismissed Evans' statement as an insignificant factor in the election, adding that Katz would also ponder a lawsuit if elected. Candidates Marty Weinberg, John Street and John White were not available for comment.
(02/24/99 10:00am)
Bower Field's renovation will yield improved field space for club sports on the eastern edge of campus. In the latest step in its continuing efforts to improve the state of campus recreation facilities, the University unveiled plans yesterday to renovate and improve Bower Field -- the site of Penn's existing baseball facility -- and transform it into a recreation space for club and intramural teams. The baseball team, meanwhile, is scheduled to move into a new 1,000-seat park at Murphy Field -- which previously served as a recreation space -- in time for the spring 2000 season. "There's been ringing enthusiasm for the Katz Fitness facility [in Gimbel Gymnasium], but whenever I hear a slight gripe and grumble, it comes from the contingent saying 'we don't have enough intramural and club sports open fields,'" University President Judith Rodin said yesterday. Athletic Director Steve Bilsky said that officials are going forward with the combined $2 million project mainly to improve the campus recreation landscape --Enot solely to provide a new home for the baseball team. "[The new baseball field] was driven by recreation," he said. "It always has been." Bilsky said that Bower Field, located just east of Franklin Field, will be much more accessible to club athletes than Murphy, which is on the southern corner of campus near the intersection of the Schuylkill Expressway and University Avenue. The field will be re-sod and will have nighttime lighting, which Bilsky said will effectively "double or triple" the usage value of the field. And officials said Murphy Field was the right choice for a new baseball facility because of its accessibility and proximity to the players' lockers in the Hollenbach Center. With the development of the two fields, the University hopes to make the east side of campus the hub for intramural and club sports. "We want this to be a place that, all weekend, morning, noon and night, is an active part of campus," Bilsky said. "We would like to see campus move to the ultimate east boundary and be an active, vibrant part of campus life." Construction on the two fields will begin with the close of this year's baseball season. Bower Field is expected to be ready this September, while Murphy Field will be completed in time for the 2000 baseball season. The dimensions of the new baseball park will be roughly the same as Bower, Bilsky said. The new stadium will hold 1,000 seats, a large difference from last fall, when Bilsky told The Daily Pennsylvanian that the stadium would seat 2,000 fans. Murphy Field closed to recreation teams earlier this semester when construction on a new $64 million water treatment plant began. The baseball facility's price tag will be completely paid for with private donations, including one "significant" gift from an anonymous donor that allowed the project to get on its feet, Bilsky said, adding that officials have had an easy time soliciting money for the construction. "The people who have given to this point have done so because they believe it is good for both recreation and the intercollegiate [baseball program]," he said. "They've given willingly because they like the concept." The renovation period has already created a shortage of playing fields for club sports. But Bilsky said that until the new Bower Field opens, varsity teams will share facilities like Franklin Field. Temporary lighting will also be installed at Hill Field to increase the amount of available space. Penn's relative lack of indoor and outdoor recreation space has long been a hot topic for students and administrators. A study conducted by the Brailsford & Dunlavey consulting firm two years ago recommended that the University quintuple the amount of recreation space on campus. Last summer, the University added the new, 7,500-square-foot Katz Fitness Center to Gimbel Gymnasium at a cost of $1.2 million, and officials have said they plan to pursue additional renovations to the aging building. According to Rodin, possible Gimbel renovation plans run from another quick upgrade that could double the size of the fitness center to a total renovation of the complex. "We are very eager to expand the Gimbel facility," she said. "We're really thinking very creatively about how to accomplish that." Rodin added that, with the opening of Sansom Common and the construction of the new $120 million Wharton School building nearby, Gimbel "has become an extraordinarily more attractive naming opportunity" in the eyes of prospective donors. Another possible location for further recreational space is the 14-acre U.S. Postal Service lot just north of Bower Field. Though not expected to be put on the market for another two years, Penn officials have long considered the plot of land a natural extension of the University's boundaries. The area could eventually be home to a recreational fieldhouse, which the Brailsford study recommended be built. The price of such a complex would likely run into the tens of millions of dollars. "We would have to demonstrate a multi-use space for [the postal property] that would definitely include a high-density athletic facility and other open spaces," Rodin said.
(02/22/99 10:00am)
A whopping 82 percent of people think that Center City is prospering and continuing to improve, according to a survey released last week. Retail development, crime reduction and job growth highlighted the fourth annual "State of Center City" report, released last week by the Center City District and the Central Philadelphia Development Corporation. "There appears to be a new mood that we can get things done," said Kevin Feeley, spokesperson for Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell. According to the report, Center City -- which includes the area bounded by Spring Garden and South streets on the north and south and the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers to the east and west -- has experienced two successive years of job growth for the first time since 1988. Eighty-five percent of Philadelphia's office space is located within Center City. The retail occupancy rate dropped slightly, but the area has still gained more than 300 retail establishments since 1992. Although Center City encompasses just two percent of Philadelphia's land area and five percent of its population, many describe downtown as the "economic engine" which drives the entire city. And jumpstarting this engine -- a goal of the Rendell administration for the past seven years -- has become a reality, according to this year's report. "Physically, economically and spiritually, Center City was carrying some of the burden that the city was very close to going under," Feeley said. "That hopelessness has been replaced by hope." In terms of safety, 71 percent of the respondents to a particular survey within the report said they almost always or always feel safe when in Center City. From 1993 to 1998, there has been a 37.7 percent decrease in serious crime in the Center City area. "Real crime numbers are down and more importantly, perceptions of safety have improved," Center City District Executive Director Paul Levy said. City Council member Frank DiCicco, who represents part of Center City, said Rendell's goal of making the city a tourist destination has been particularly helpful for his district. "Center City is the hub and it's always been the hub," DiCicco said. "But we were flat on our backs for about 20 years and this administration changed that." But despite Philadelphia's marked improvement during his administration, Rendell has been criticized for focusing too much on Center City while neglecting the outlying neighborhoods. Not surprisingly, spreading Center City's success to other neighborhoods has become a key issue in this year's mayoral election. DiCicco said he believes that concentrating on areas outside of Center City will be "crucial" for Rendell's successor, but he noted that downtown was the right place to start rebuilding. "We needed to get our fiscal house in order," he said. "And you can't expect the government to build new facilities [in neighborhoods] if you don't have money to do that. That money comes from the Center City economy." Using the services of the Eshelman & Townsend market research firm, the Center City District surveyed over 5,000 property owners, retailers, employees, residents and visitors in hopes of tracking Philadelphia's progress and spotlighting areas that need improvement. "The basic purpose of this document is to look at all the basic key generators of activity? and to measure their performance," Levy said.
(02/17/99 10:00am)
The Democratic attorney from South Philadelphia is expected to be the last to enter the field. Using the porch of his childhood home as a stage, attorney and political insider Marty Weinberg officially announced his candidacy for mayor yesterday, making him the sixth and likely the final candidate to enter the race for City Hall. The rally brought a crowd of several hundred enthusiastic neighbors and supporters to Mildred Street in South Philadelphia, but the event was merely a formality, as Weinberg's intention to run for mayor has been known for many months. The deep-pocketed Weinberg -- who political experts say could be the surprise winner of the May 18 Democratic primary -- delivered a speech that stressed the importance of neighborhood improvement to the future of Philadelphia. "As we witness the transformation of Center City into a truly international city, we must remember the lesson of Mildred Street -- the lesson of a city which works as hard for the working men and women living in all neighborhoods as it does for the businesses in Center City," Weinberg said. Weinberg, 61, explained that, although the development of stadiums and waterfronts is important to Philadelphia's growth, the new mayor cannot overlook less glamorous neighborhood issues like public education and crime prevention. "When a parent sends a child off to school through drug-infested neighborhoods, we have failed as a city," he said during his 30-minute morning announcement, which was attended by State Senators Hardy Williams and Vince Fumo. Despite the nationally recognized successes of outgoing Mayor Ed Rendell --Ewhich included rescuing the city from financial ruin -- Philadelphia has seen little improvement in its schools during the past seven years. Voters have indicated that they want the next mayor to take more responsibility for the fate of public education -- a topic that Weinberg addressed directly. "If we fail [in public education], the failure will be mine," Weinberg said. "But let me tell you something: I do not give up easily. The future of our children is too important. I will never give up on them." In an interview last week, Weinberg singled out the poor state of public education in the city as the cause of many of its recurring problems. "The whole educational concept deals with employment and it deals with crime and it deals with our economic situation," he said. A lifelong Philadelphian who attended Drexel University and Temple University Law School, Weinberg points to his varied professional background -- which includes stints as city solicitor and aide to the late Mayor Frank Rizzo -- as perhaps his best selling point in the upcoming election. "I have a depth? of experience that I believe few people have," he said. "It's almost like I've spent my entire life preparing for this job as mayor." Political analysts say that while Weinberg could pose a formidable challenge to the nomination's early frontrunner -- former City Council President John Street -- Weinberg's lack of visibility could prove to be a major roadblock for him. Ed Schwartz, president of the Institute for the Study of Civic Values, has gone so far as to describe Weinberg as "a silent film star." Weinberg said he recognizes the problem. And with over $2.6 million in his pockets, he insisted that the situation will only be temporary. Weinberg plans to launch an advertising blitz in the coming weeks to increase his name recognition. "I think [money] is important for me because I am an individual who is not well known by the average voters," he said. "In order for me to be able to have the people know what I stand for and who I am, I have to be able to do that on television." Looking toward the upcoming elections, Weinberg said he believes the winner of the May Democratic primary will likely be the next mayor of Philadelphia -- a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 3-to-1 majority. "Philadelphia is a Democratic city," he said. "I think that people who indicate that a Republican can win in Philadelphia just really don't know the city very well," he said. Only one man, businessperson Sam Katz, is running for the GOP nomination. There are five people running on the Democratic side. Regardless of who emerges victorious from the November 5 general election, Philadelphia's new mayor will be forced to deal with the Rendell legacy in some capacity. But as Weinberg learned from his days with the legendary Rizzo, the transition between mayors relies on a constant building process. "I look forward to the challenge of doing a job as good or better than Ed Rendell," Weinberg said. "I believe I have the personality, the energy level, the desire and the ability to continue the tradition that has been set over the last seven years."
(02/11/99 10:00am)
The victor in the city's mayoral race will inherit a Philadelphia vastly changed since 1992. As eight years of unparalleled success under Mayor Ed Rendell near a close, Philadelphians are faced with an enormous challenge: finding a successor for the man who lifted the city from financial ruin and transformed it into a model of American urban recovery. In just 97 days, voters will go to the ballot boxes and pick two candidates to face off in the November mayoral election. The candidates represent a wide array of backgrounds -- two former City Council members, a state legislator, two lifelong politicos and a longtime public servant. In a city which has gone 48 years without a Republican mayor and where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 3-to-1 majority, the Democratic primary will all but decide the race. There is just one man running for the Republican nomination. Voters will be electing a mayor to run a Philadelphia that in many ways barely resembles the city that Rendell inherited from former mayor Wilson Goode in 1992: budget surpluses are now the norm, a new convention center has opened and corporations like Disney are helping to revitalize the Center City area. And just last week, the state agreed to help fund two new sports stadiums. Although the city has shown marked improvement under Rendell, the first mayor of the new millennium still must deal with ongoing issues like education, welfare reform, crime and perhaps the most difficult issue of all -- working in Rendell's political shadow. The Candidates This year's field features six candidates -- five Democrats and one Republican -- in a race that many political experts are claiming could be surprisingly competitive. The Democrat pool is comprised of former City Council President John Street, former City Council member Happy Fernandez, ex-Philadelphia Housing Authority Director John White, State Representative Dwight Evans and Marty Weinberg, who was a top aide to former Mayor Frank Rizzo and is scheduled to officially announce his candidacy next week. The winner of the Democratic primary will face off in November against businessperson Sam Katz, the lone Republican. With the primary election day just a few months away, no clear favorite has emerged and political experts have been quick to underline the strength of this year's field. Although the still-popular Rendell -- to whom the public may look for guidance -- has voiced support for Street, his longtime City Hall colleague, analysts are unsure of what role this will play in the election. "People can't transfer their popularity," said Ed Schwartz, president of the Institute for the Study of Civic Values. And Rendell has been careful to praise all those hoping to succeed him. "Each of the six candidates possesses a wide range of skills that would make him or her a very good mayor," Rendell spokesperson David Yarkin said. "I think the city will be in good hands." Still, Rendell reserves special words for Street. "John's strength, leadership and courage have earned him the right to be mayor," Rendell said on Wednesday when Street officially announced his candidacy. "He's the best-qualified person." But the controversial Street, who leads his competitors in most polls, is burdened by the fact that a large number of people remember him from his rabble-rousing days in the 1970s and say they would not vote for him under any circumstances. With three African-American candidates --EEvans, Street and White -- in the contest, Schwartz indicated that race could play a crucial role in the election. "I think race plays a role in every election," Schwartz said, adding that if the black vote splits among the three candidates, Weinberg could walk away the surprise winner. But race is not the only key factor in this year's election --Emoney, as always, is the engine that drives a successful big city campaign. On that front, the politically connected and deep-pocketed Weinberg seems to be in the lead. He has already raised over $2.6 million, far surpassing any other competitor. That war chest will be key as he tries to increase his low name recognition among Philadelphians. "Marty Weinberg is almost like a silent film star," Schwartz said. "We haven't heard much from him." Weinberg, who is expected to officially announce his candidacy next week, will use his funds for a television advertising blitz in the coming months to combat that problem. Tough Problems to Tackle Last month, the Annenberg School for Communication released the results of a city-wide survey which showed that Philadelphia voters are most concerned with crime, the economy and education reform. Not surprisingly, these issues have taken center stage in this year's road to City Hall. While Rendell has concentrated his mayorship on economic development, several areas -- including those cited by the Annenberg poll -- still demand improvement, and the new mayor will have to pick up where time forced Rendell to leave off. "Ed Rendell was brilliant in stabilizing the government and stimulating business development," Schwartz said. "But Rendell does not know anything about schools or poverty. The new mayor needs to focus on these problems or we are going to fail." Schwartz emphasized that major problems like crime are directly related to Philadelphia's high poverty level and if the situation is addressed properly, connected issues like crime will improve. "I think [crime] is a problem of perception," he added. "[It] is a deeper function of the problem of poverty." Penn History and Public Policy Professor Ted Hershberg, who also serves as director of the Penn-based Center for Greater Philadelphia, said that the economy should remain at the center of the new mayor's agenda. In particular, he suggested a further reduction of the city wage tax -- which Rendell has slightly lowered during his term -- that continues to drive investment outside city limits. "As long as the city has very high taxes, it will continue to be unattractive to businesses," he said. While History Professor Michael Katz also said he believed fiscal discipline to be essential, he explained the importance of education reform -- an area in which many say Rendell has been unsuccessful. "If the city is going to attract middle-class families with children, it must improve education," Katz noted. "The people are going to look at the next mayor to improve education." Filling Rendell's Shoes Will the next mayor of Philadelphia have difficulty following Rendell? It might seem an imposing task to live up to the reputation of the man Vice President Al Gore calls "America's Mayor," but many think Rendell's successor should build upon, rather than imitate, the outgoing mayor's accomplishments. "People are going to compare," Katz said. "It's going to be hard to have the shadow of Rendell hanging over people's heads." Hershberg said he thinks the new mayor should avoid trying to copy Rendell. "I think you set yourself up for failure if you want to be another Ed Rendell," he explained. How Rendell's successor will handle the new role remains to be seen, but nearly all agree that the new mayor must keep Philadelphia pointed in the right direction, regardless of the methodology. "The momentum we've built up the last seven years will continue long after Mayor Rendell walks out of City Hall," Yarkin said. "The next mayor is going to be compelled to carry [the city's fiscal responsibility] out," Yarkin said. "And if they don't, if they waver and don't have the courage to say 'no,' the city is going to be back where it was." Fast Eddie And "where it was" is a place no one in the city ever wants to be again. In his nearly eight years at the helm of America's fifth-largest city, Rendell has led a financially unstable metropolis into a period of prosperity -- through a war with the city's unions, the closing of the Navy Yard and a fiscal crisis that saw annual deficits of over $200 million. With his innovative tactics, Rendell has commanded national recognition for both himself and the city his administration has tried so desperately to save. Since entering City Hall in 1992, the Rendell administration has brought financial stability to a city teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Business and tourism growth are starting to surge. And Philadelphia's landing of the 2000 Republican National Convention next year shows that people are finally starting to notice the rebirth of the City of Brotherly Love. Hershberg put the Rendell years in perspective, focusing on both physical and emotional growth. "Rendell has dramatically altered the psyche of the city," Hershberg said. "He has been this incredible political cheerleader." And Michael Katz noted that Rendell's high level of energy is responsible for much of Philadelphia's recent development. "Rendell's proved to be a very remarkable spokesperson for the city," Katz said. "He has a very infectious kind of enthusiasm. That has improved the reputation of the city with other people. There's kind of a psychological dimension to the progress of the city."
(02/10/99 10:00am)
Former City Council President John Street is backed by Mayor Ed Rendell in the crowded race. Spirits were high yesterday when former City Council President John Street -- surrounded by hundreds of supporters including an enthusiastic Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell -- announced his candidacy for mayor. At the announcement, which has been expected for months, the two men took turns praising each other and the great strides Philadelphia has taken during their seven-year partnership. Street pledged a platform that focuses on public education improvement, further economic development and crime prevention. "This is an extraordinary day of passage on my personal journey -- an opportunity to serve at the highest level the city I love, the city to which I have enthusiastically devoted so much of my life," said Street, 55, who began the program by introducing his family, including son Sharif, a third-year Penn Law student. An enthusiastic crowd of several hundred people, packed into a small Community College of Philadelphia lecture hall, heard from a range of speakers -- including a union director, religious leaders, Rendell and finally, Street himself. Recent polls indicate that the controversial Street is leading the Democratic field in people who say they will vote for him, but he also has the highest percentage of voters who strictly oppose him. Though Rendell all but announced his support for Street last week, he saved the official endorsement for yesterday, when the mayor sealed the deal with perhaps the most important vote in the election. "There has never been a more qualified mayor running," Rendell said, adding that although the other five candidates are certainly worthy, Street is the right man for the job. "John's strength, leadership and courage have earned him the right to be mayor," he said. "He's the best-qualified person." In an election with no clear favorite, Rendell's endorsement of Street certainly creates an advantage, but public opinion of Street has wavered -- a topic Rendell briefly eluded to. "He's tough to get to know," Rendell said. "John Street is not good at blowing his own horn." Still, Rendell -- who is credited with picking the city up by its bootstraps and carrying it to fiscal stability -- emphasized that neither he nor the city would be as successful had Street not been behind the scenes. "That's why we're in the shape we're in," Rendell said. "John Street became my partner. I emerged as a better mayor." In a speech slated for only five minutes, an energetic Rendell spoke for three or four times that amount, noting that he and Street share the same socially liberal but fiscally conservative philosophy. "John Street has been a fiscal conservative and will be a fiscal conservative [as mayor]," he said. "He will be ready to pick up the torch and keep running in stride." When Rendell left the podium, he and Street embraced and raised their hands victoriously, as the pro-Street crowd applauded and cheered. A call to "continue the legacy" from one audience member symbolized the meaning behind Rendell's endorsement. But there would likely be differences between the two administrations. During his speech, Street spoke at length about improving Philadelphia's public education -- an area for which Rendell has been criticized during his seven years in office. "If Philadelphia is to have a bright future, we cannot give up on our public school children," he added. "Those schools are producing the future work force for our city." Still, the two men made it clear that they have grown quite fond of each other over the years. Citing his successful partnership with the mayor -- highlighted by their work in turning a $250 million annual deficit into six consecutive years of budget surpluses -- Street thanked Rendell for their mutually beneficial relationship. "I was fortunate to have a governing partner of his skill, strength and determination," Street said. Street also touched on his vision for the future of Philadelphia. "As the new millennium dawns, we have put Philadelphia on a path toward progress," he added. "But there is much work to be done." City Council member Augusta Clark, who stood in the gallery behind Street and Rendell during the presentation, afterwards described the crowd as both "enthusiastic" and "diverse." She also noted that the endorsement of a popular mayor may not in itself guarantee Street's victory. Patrick Vizzini, a member of the Laborers' Local Union 57, said, "I liked [Street's] stand on everything.? He's going to keep the city going in the same direction, the way Rendell did." The mayoral primaries are scheduled for May 18 and will see Street face off against former City Council member Happy Fernandez, former Philadelphia Housing Authority head John White, State Representative Dwight Evans and political insider Marty Weinberg, who is scheduled to officially announce his candidacy next week.
(02/08/99 10:00am)
Passage of a state funding bill for the Phillies and Eagles means a baseball stadium may be built near campus. With a new state financing plan for two new Philadelphia sports stadiums in place, one question still remains: Where will the complexes be located? Under the deal --Epassed last week by the Pennsylvania state legislature -- the commonwealth will provide $170 million to the city to build new stadiums for baseball's Phillies and football's Eagles, replacing the nearly 30-year-old Veterans Stadium. The total combined cost of the stadiums is estimated to be $600 million. The bill also provides funds for new Pittsburgh stadiums for the Pirates and Steelers. Now, Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, City Council and the two teams themselves must figure out exactly where to place the teams' new ballparks. The possibilities include a baseball-only stadium at 30th and Walnut streets that is bitterly opposed by the University, as well as one in Center City. Rendell spokesperson David Yarkin stressed the invaluable effect of sports in any city, explaining that the stadium deal ensures the existence of professional football and baseball in Philadelphia for at least the next 30 years. "Sports can be a great unifying force in a city and the community," Yarkin said, applauding the state's decision to help fund the parks. "A lot of people follow the sports teams and the success of the sports franchises. It can have great impact on the morale of a city." In the days since the bill was passed, officials have debated the various potential locations for the stadiums. The one that Penn officials oppose is the suggestion to place the new Phillies' field at 30th and Walnut streets. The University has expressed its strong disapproval of the proposal since it was released two years ago. Last week, Executive Vice President John Fry said such a move would be an outright "disaster" for Penn. "We are unalterably opposed [to a stadium near 30th Street]," Fry said. "This campus would be completely shut down during baseball games." Fry described the 30th Street location as "simply too constrained," citing the severe parking problem that would result from a regular influx of fans. Construction of the stadium would also close down major nearby traffic arteries, forcing detours through campus. Proponents of using this site, though, say the stadium would have a nice view of the city and easy access via 30th Street Station. "I would love to see a stadium at 30th Street. The vista would be unbelievable," Rendell told The Philadelphia Inquirer last week. "But the problem with parking and congestion there and on the [Schuylkill] Expressway, those are difficult problems to surmount." The lack of cooperation from Penn doesn't bode well for the site, since the city usually accedes to requests from the University -- the largest private employer in the city. Rendell and Phillies Chairperson Bill Giles said last week that they would favor putting the field in Center City near the intersection of Broad and Spring Garden streets. Many comparisons have been drawn between this potential Phillies' site and Baltimore's seven-year-old Camden Yards -- a stadium that has become the model for several other urban ballparks because of the enormous positive financial growth it spurred in its city. But critics of the Broad and Spring Garden proposal point out that building a stadium in Center City would add to the cost. And the Eagles have expressed an interest in staying in the South Philadelphia area where they play now in the Vet. Ultimately, the location decisions will be made by the individual teams under the condition that they supply the money for any additional costs based on the stadium's location. Rendell has proposed several ways to raise the city's part of the tab, including an increased rental-car tax, a ticket surcharge and the money saved by no longer having to maintain Veterans Stadium. State, city and team representatives agree there is much work to be done, but the passing of the construction bill was a significant step in the right direction, continuing the nationally-acclaimed prosperity that has come during Rendell's tenure. Stephen Drachler, press secretary to House Majority Leader John Perzel (R-Philadelphia) -- who helped push the plan through Harrisburg -- said the stadiums would help Philadelphia continue its growth. "The result is that the stadiums will contribute to the continued renaissance of Philadelphia -- its growing image, nationally and internationally," Drachler said. "The stadiums will serve as a magnet for the rejuvenation of the city."
(02/02/99 10:00am)
The Annenberg School for Communication's poll asked Philadelphia voters to list their greatest concerns. Crime, the economy and the state of public education head the list of problems plaguing Philadelphia, according to a city-wide survey released last week by the Annenberg School for Communication. Forty-nine percent of the respondents said crime was the largest problem in the city --Edwarfing jobs and the economy at 26 percent and public education at 18 percent. Annenberg researchers conducted over 2,300 telephone interviews between November 30, 1998 and December 16, 1998, in hopes of identifying "key issues of concern to Philadelphians over the course of the 1999 mayoral campaign," according to a press release. Each respondent was able to choose up to three different answers to the question, "What do you personally think are the most important problems facing Philadelphia?" Although the figures for crime nearly doubled that of any other problem, Annenberg spokesperson Dan Romer emphasized that the other categories could prove to be even more significant. "Crime is the biggest concern and that was no surprise because it is also a national concern," he noted. "Philadelphia is reflecting what's going on nationally. But it's the other issues that get really interesting." Romer focused on crime's tremendous influence on the other problems cited by the survey. For example, he said, if public education improves and jobs becomes more plentiful, crime would subsequently decrease. "Crime links to all these other issues directly," he said. With just months remaining before the general mayoral election in November, the poll aims to highlight the major issues facing the successor to Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell -- whose second and final term expires on December 31. "The responses are really quite encouraging," Romer said. "The intent is to make the election a lot more issue-conscious." Organizers plan to hold a series of "deliberative forums" with 300 of the respondents. The forums, part of an Annenberg initiative combining neighborhood and media resources, is designed to let citizens discuss the issues face-to-face. In a written release, Annenberg Dean Kathleen Hall Jamieson described the enthusiasm of the poll's participants. "Contrary to conventional wisdom, the Philadelphians who took part in the survey were not apathetic," she said, citing the fact that two out of every three people surveyed wanted to participate in the forums. Annenberg plans to conduct three additional surveys in the months ahead. Rendell spokesperson Kevin Feeley said he wasn't surprised that crime was at the top of the list, but he said the city has been making progress in the war against crime. "We're starting to see some results," Feeley said. "But it's not to say that crime is an issue that is solved." Feeley referred to the decrease in city homicides and the increase in narcotics arrests as accomplishments but singled out gun crime as a lingering concern. Rendell has contemplated joining other big-city mayors in filing a lawsuit against gun manufacturers for the past year, but has wavered recently in making a decision. Feeley said there are benefits to pursuing alternatives like legislation and gun design improvements instead of legal action. "The threat of filing a suit may be greater than actually filing a suit," he said. "That puts tremendous pressure on the [gun] industry. There are a lot of avenues of attack." Rendell, considered to be a candidate for statewide office after he leaves City Hall, could face difficulties in the mostly-conservative Pennsylvania if he goes through with the suit.
(02/01/99 10:00am)
and Sharon Male They laughed. They cheered. And most of all, they drank. With its annual night of eating, drinking and dancing, The Daily Pennsylvanian inaugurated its 115th Board of Editors and Managers on Saturday night at its banquet, held at the University Museum, where the DP's staff, alumni and guests enjoyed good company and a lot of wine. Later, the reception moved to the Egyptian Gallery, where University President Judith Rodin addressed the audience with her "Ode to the DP," inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's classic "The Raven." Rodin's speech was followed by a guest appearance from the legendary Grimace. The large purple Happy Meal character, played by former 34th Street staffer Matthew Snyder, declared he simply wanted to "spice the party up a little." After dinner, College junior and incoming Executive Editor Kent Malmros told the assembled guests that he found a surprising amount of similarities between the theme song to the television show Cheers and the bond that unites DP staffers at the windowless Pink Palace at 4015 Walnut Street. Next to address the crowd was Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Buzz Bissinger -- a DP alumnus and 1976 College graduate -- who expressed his fondness for the organization that helped launch his career. "Coming to the DP was the single best decision I ever made? perhaps in my life," he said. The night was also a chance to honor excellence over the past year. Among the awards, outgoing City News Editor Scott Lanman was named editor of the year, while reporter of the year honors went to his successor, College sophomore Ben Geldon. College sophomore and incoming Sports Editor Eric Moskowitz was given the award for sports writer of the year. And outgoing Finance Manager and Wharton senior Roger Levenson was named business manager of the year. The Daily Pennsylvanian Alumni Association gave its annual photography and writing awards to photographer Adam Snow, an Engineering junior, 34th Street magazine staffer and College senior Mary Harris and beat reporter Eric Tucker -- who, inebriated before the night even began, nearly knocked over several ancient artifacts on his way to receive the award. "It's all pleasure when you're with Eric Tucker," quipped the College sophomore and self-proclaimed lady-killer earlier in the night when warned of mixing business with pleasure. After the official installation of the 27 members of the 115th Board, the festivities moved next door to the Penn Tower Hotel, where the open bar was appreciated by all, especially by outgoing Daily Pennsylvanian Interactive Editor-in-Chief Mark Fiore. "It's one big booze fest," the College senior said when asked about the meaning of the banquet. "My entire dinner is all over the bathroom floor. It's great!" College sophomore Catherine Lucey was also in rare form. Among the beat reporter's pursuits for the night were incoming Photo Editor David Graff, incoming Associate News Editor Jeremy Reiss, incoming Art Editor Tom Schmid and just about every other male DP staff member. Incoming Business Manager and College junior Brian Garvey, meanwhile, expounded upon his opinion of the annual event. "It's the dog's balls," the Irish native said. The evening, though, was marred by the attempt of College junior Reiss and incoming DPI Editor-in-Chief Seth Grossman, a College sophomore, to serenade the horrified onlookers with their renditions of "Movin' On Up" and "Build Me Up Buttercup." They were quickly booed off the stage. In accordance with tradition, outgoing Layout Editor Jamie Palan decided not to wait until the party was over. This year's choice for dance floor "partner" for the College senior was outgoing Associate Sports Editor and Wharton senior Marc Edelman. But Palan and Edelman weren't the only two caught up in the spirit of the evening. Two members of the DP's new crop of beat reporters also took staff bonding to a new level -- engaging in some "co-writing" of their own before the night was over.
(01/29/99 10:00am)
Penn's lack of a response forced the Philadelphia Public League to find a different venue for the games. After waiting months for Penn to make a decision, the Philadelphia Public League this week selected St. Joseph's University as the host for its boys and girls basketball championships -- finally ending speculation of whether the Palestra would host the event one year after a fatal shooting marred the games. On Tuesday, Public League officials announced that they will hold their annual championship games on February 28 at the St. Joseph's Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse, instead of at Penn, where the event had been held for the past two years. The Fieldhouse, located on the western outskirts of the city, is much smaller and less accessible than Penn's venue. With the games about a month away, Penn had not yet responded to requests, forcing the Public League to change its venue. The University's non-decision has drawn criticism from some league officials and local newspaper columnists, but will likely be praised by many of the Penn students who called on the school to avoid a potentially dangerous event. Penn's hesitance in the matter stems partly from a fatal shooting outside the Palestra following last year's city game, which left one person dead and three others, including a Penn student, wounded. The March 1 violence -- ruled by police to have no connection with the actual game -- prompted Drexel University to back out as host of the Public League all-star games one week later. At the 1997 championships, gunshots were also fired, but no one was injured. Jury selection began this week in the trial of the two men charged with the 1998 shooting. Despite claims by some that Penn deliberately did not answer the league in order to avoid making a controversial choice, University officials maintained that they were not stalling and simply had not made a decision. It was not clear, however, when Penn was planning on announcing its choice or what exactly caused the long delay. "It wasn't going to be an easy decision," said Penn spokesperson Ken Wildes. "We understand that [Public League officials] had to do what they had to do." But those close to the championship games strongly disagree -- accusing the University of giving Public League officials the run-around. "By not saying anything, the people conducting the tournament had to make a decision," said Mitchell Kurtz, head of the Philadelphia Public League Basketball Coaches Association. "Penn is off the hook because they never gave an answer." St. Joseph's Athletic Director Don DiJulia explained that, while officials at the Jesuit school are happy to be hosting the championships, the games virtually ended up in his school's lap, despite capacity and location problems. The Fieldhouse holds just 3,200, compared with the Palestra's almost 9,000. In addition, the St. Joseph's site is less centrally located. "[The Public League] didn't have any other place," DiJulia said. "They contacted us and other institutions as backup if they couldn't get their top site, which was Penn." John Koskinen, the Public League's boys basketball chairperson, recently told The Philadelphia Daily News his opinion of Penn's actions, or lack thereof. "If I was a betting man, I'd say we were never going to get an answer," Koskinen said. "[Penn] took the easy way out." Kurtz went on to say that the University absolutely should have made a decision "one way or the other" and that the community is likely to perceive Penn's silence during the process as "a cowardly act." However, citing University projects like the West Philadelphia Initiative, Wildes defended Penn and its relationship with the community and the public school system. "I think the reasonable person would say Penn is a good community citizen, a good community neighbor," he said. "The school is an asset to the city of Philadelphia." Wildes left the door open for sporting contests to be held on the Penn campus, stressing that the recent developments had no bearing on potential University decisions. "I am certain that we would be open to holding high school sporting events," Wildes said. "This situation doesn't have anything to do with future events."
(01/27/99 10:00am)
Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell yesterday unveiled a proposed $2.7 billion budget for fiscal year 2000 that emphasizes cutting taxes and increasing the "quality of life" for Philadelphians. Highlights of the budget include a small cut in the wage tax rate and increased spending for police, public libraries and city maintenance. In front of a packed City Council chamber, Rendell reminded the Council members and the press of the fiscal state the city was in when he took office in 1992 -- "a city on the brink," he called it, teetering on the edge of bankruptcy with a $200 million annual deficit. But now, an enthusiastic Rendell talked both about Philadelphia's recent successes -- including budget surpluses and landing the 2000 Republican National Convention -- and plans for the city's future, many of which will take effect after he leaves City Hall at the end of 1999. "So, in this final budget address, I come to you with a full agenda for the 11 months we have remaining to work together -- and also with a vision for our great city in the early years of its new millennium," Rendell told the assembled City Council members. Rendell cited a series of tax cuts which began four years ago -- the city's first in 50 years -- in proposing that the trend continue by lowering the resident wage tax rate from 4.6869 percent to 4.6135 percent. Already, the cuts of the past four years have saved Philadelphia taxpayers and employers a cumulative $207 million which Rendell hopes will, in the end, increase the tax base for the city. Other priorities on the mayor's agenda included police funding, job growth and welfare reform. Rendell also pledged that if the state agrees to take on a greater portion of the costs of running the court system -- as he said it does for every other city in Pennsylvania -- he will direct the estimated $160 million in savings to Philadelphia's beleaguered public school system. That proposal caught the eye of several Council members. "The thing that I most applauded in the speech, which struck me as most creative, is the intent to dedicate all the present dollars that go to support the courts to the school system," Council member Augusta Clark said. "I think if we could pull education up in Philadelphia, it would be the greatest economic engine we could have," she added. Rendell -- a Penn alumnus -- mentioned briefly the revitalization going on in University City, heralding Sansom Common and the upcoming Sundance Cinemas project as initiatives that "will spark a new energy." He also warned the Council against "return[ing] to the days when Philadelphia lived beyond its means and lurched from crisis to crisis." After decades of economic struggle, a crumbling job base and a plummeting population, the City of Philadelphia has experienced six consecutive years with a balanced budget, and even ended fiscal year 1998 with a record $169.2 million surplus. And while Rendell -- who is widely expected to pursue higher office after his mayoral tenure ends -- is undeniably happy with the turnaround since his administration took over, he warned of the obstacles to maintaining such prosperity. "Probably the most important budgetary challenge, however, will be the difficulty of just saying no," he noted. "In a city where our needs are so great, and where our resources remain so limited, it is an absolutely critical part of our jobs to reject countless legitimate and worthy demands for public funds." Council member Jannie Blackwell, whose district includes West Philadelphia, was pleased with Rendell's proposal and believed the budget would become a reality. "I think the mayor has been pretty realistic and down-to-earth overall in his budget," Blackwell said. "And when he puts it out there, he's committed to seeing that it's achieved." Although few items in the proposal deal specifically with University City or Penn, the budget will affect the area indirectly, according to Theodore Hershberg, professor of Public Policy and History and the director of the Center for Greater Philadelphia. The proposals "are all things that help the city. The fact that downtown is healthy has helped Penn because we are right next door," said Hershberg.
(01/22/99 10:00am)
But Philadelphia has not jet joined cities such as Chicago and New Orleans in suing over the costs of gun violence. Partly at the urging of Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, dozens of U.S. cities are considering filing lawsuits against gun manufacturers, hoping to hold them financially responsible for gun-related violence. But whether Rendell will jump on his own bandwagon remains to be seen. Already, two major cities -- New Orleans and Chicago -- have begun litigation against the gun industry in an action that many are comparing to the successful multi-state attack on the tobacco industry, which yielded a historic settlement of more than $200 billion. And with firearm control set to be a hot topic of discussion at the upcoming national Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., next week, many more cities -- including Philadelphia -- could soon follow. Rendell, who has been mulling over such a suit for more than a year, has once more been thrust into the national spotlight for his innovative efforts. The two-term mayor and Penn alumnus is entering his final year in office, and it is widely rumored that he will seek state or national office in 2000 or 2002. "Cutting down the number of crimes committed with guns? is important to any mayor, especially Mayor Rendell," said city spokesperson David Yarkin. "That is why we've seen his involvement in this issue." The proposed plan involves dozens of cities simultaneously filing lawsuits against gun makers in hopes that the sheer quantity of suits will force the industry to take notice -- and if nothing else try to make their products a little safer. Rendell has not yet officially decided whether Philadelphia will file its own suit, but the answer could come at the Washington conference, set for January 27 to 29. Like many American metropolitan areas, the City of Philadelphia has long been plagued by gun violence. In 1996, for example, 80 percent of the city's homicides were committed using guns. The individual cities have different goals in filing suits. Some want to focus on forcing the industry to improve its safety standards, while others are more interested in recovering damages and reducing the number of guns on the street. New Orleans is an example of the former, while Chicago of the latter, according to Naomi Paiss, a spokesperson for the Washington D.C.-based Center to Prevent Handgun Violence. Philadelphia, she noted, falls somewhere in the middle. Regardless, Paiss said destroying the industry is not anyone's intention. "The point of these lawsuits is not to bankrupt the gun industry," she explained. "The point is to make them make a safer product. The more lawsuits they face, the more incentive they have to sit down and reach a solution." But Jack Adkins, director of operations for the American Shooting Sports Council, said the suits would only blame manufacturers for the actions of a small group of criminals. "We have no control over the intent of the end user of our product," he said. "I don't know of any industry that does." Adkins noted that multiple lawsuits would certainly pose a threat to the industry. "[The lawsuits] are geared towards the fact that the industry would be in a tough position to defend itself," he said. "We could handle maybe two or three suits, but if you file 10 or 20 or 100, it hurts the ability of an organization to defend itself. There would be a number of smaller manufacturers that would file for bankruptcy." Still, he said the industry would not accept excessive regulation imposed by the cities. "We'd rather have them sue," Adkins said.
(01/20/99 10:00am)
The new law prohibits sitting down too long or lying down on Philadelphia sidewalks. With the controversial "sidewalk behavior" bill becoming law yesterday, several dozen people gathered outside City Hall for a press conference and rally in protest of the ordinance that critics say criminalizes homelessness. The American Civil Liberties Union also announced the filing of a class-action lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia and individual police officers who arrest homeless people for such now-prohibited acts as lying on the sidewalk, sitting too long in public places or "aggressively" panhandling. The law only affects the downtown area of Philadelphia. Police now have the authority to ticket the homeless for violating the law and resistance can lead to arrest. The rally was sponsored by two groups -- Project H.O.M.E. and the Open Door Coalition -- who have bitterly opposed the legislation since it was introduced in December 1997 by then-City Council President John Street. The bill was approved by the City Council after a highly contentious session in June. Yesterday's rally featured several distinguished speakers, all of whom challenged the ordinance and called for a special task force to monitor its application. "The emphasis [of the ordinance] is moving people along, scaring people and intimidating people," said Joseph Rogers, the executive director of the Mental Health Association of Southeast Pennsylvania. "We are going to do much work to monitor the situation." Sister Mary Scullion, executive director of Project H.O.M.E. -- which stands for Housing, Opportunities, Medical Care and Education -- echoed Rogers' concerns. "Do you see anything good about this ordinance?" she asked the crowd. "We have to come together and form a task force to monitor the implementation of this ordinance." But Kevin Feeley, a spokesperson for Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, defended the ordinance and said that it could actually prove beneficial to Philadelphia's homeless population, noting that the bill also provides for counseling, drug or alcohol rehabilitation and shelter for the so-called "hard-core" homeless people, those who have resisted earlier efforts by the city to help them. "The city has committed to spend $5.6 million to try to provide an unprecedented level of service and care to these individuals, the 200 or so people who are most shelter resistant," Feeley said. "Treating them in a humane and rational manner -- that's what the law does." In an early version of the bill, all of Philadelphia would have been subject to its provisions. But Council member Jannie Blackwell, an opponent of the bill who represents West Philadelphia, requested that her district not be subject to the legislation. She later tried to get the University City area put back into the bill, but that amendment was denied. Critics pounced on the fact that the law is only being enforced in Center City -- evidence, they say, that the city is only doing this for public relations purposes. "I think the reason people are talking about Center City is because that is where the homeless hurt business and the city's image," said Penn Law Professor David Rudovsky, who is representing the ACLU in its lawsuit against the city. Rudovsky, who was greeted with a chorus of cheers and applause with the announcement of the suit during the rally, said the civil rights organization wants to stop the city from brushing the homeless under the rug. "Our concern is that the city is using the criminal part of the ordinance for sweeping the streets [of] the homeless," said Rudovsky, who is also representing the family of slain Wharton graduate student Shannon Schieber in its lawsuit against the city and the police. City Council member Angel Ortiz -- an opponent of the law -- took the podium briefly, emphasizing his disgust that the new law was taking effect the day after celebrations honoring Martin Luther King Jr. "Can you imagine what he would say about homeless living in the streets where the Constitution was drafted?" Ortiz asked. "He would be appalled at the City of Philadelphia." Following the conference, officials invited the audience to join them at the corner of 15th and Walnut streets, where protesters were camped out, as they had been since Monday. Though organizers warned that protesters could be arrested, none were as of yesterday evening, according to a spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police Department.
(01/15/99 10:00am)
After weeks of political bickering, City Council came together yesterday and voted unanimously to make Council member Anna Verna its new president. Verna -- a representative from Northeast Philadelphia -- replaces longtime Council President John Street, who stepped down last month to pursue a mayoral bid. A 23-year Council veteran, Verna initially faced opposition from fellow Democrat Marian Tasco. Though the 12 Democrats on the city body were originally split down the middle, Verna secured her victory when all three Council Republicans decided to support her. "In the end, we came together," said Council member Angel Ortiz, one of those who at first supported Tasco. "We voted unanimously, as it should be done," Ortiz added, saying he was optimistic that members would overcome the infighting of the past month. One bone of contention was Verna's intention to appoint Council member Jannie Blackwell, whose district includes West Philadelphia, as chairperson of the powerful Finance Committee, which would put her third in line for the mayorship. But despite opposition by Tasco and the Democrats supporting her, Verna hasn't wavered from her position. According to Ortiz, Verna officially named Blackwell to the post yesterday. Neither Blackwell nor Verna was available for comment following the vote. Blackwell had been serving in the shadow of controversy since earlier this month when one of her top aides, 41-year-old Michael Youngblood, was charged with 36 counts of extortion, bank fraud and tax offenses in connection with a city-funded homeless shelter construction project. Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell spoke with Council members this week to help alleviate the conflict. His chief spokesperson, Kevin Feeley, was quick to defend Blackwell. "Anyone who knows Jannie Blackwell does not believe that the Youngblood situation has any sort of lasting impact," Feeley said. "I don't think there's a hint that Jannie Blackwell's character should be called into question." Following the election, Council held its first meeting with Verna at the helm, a heated discussion over the controversial bill to implement a cost-of-living increase for city pensions. Council had approved the bill last month, only to have it vetoed by Rendell. The lawmaking body could not muster the necessary 12 votes to override the mayor's thumbs-down yesterday. Verna earned praise for her hectic first day in office. "[Verna] performed admirably," Feeley said. "She took control of a potentially chaotic situation." Council member Michael Nutter --Ewho was Tasco's choice to lead the Finance Committee -- echoed Feeley's words. "Today demonstrates that the Council wants to continue to work in general harmony," Nutter said. "It was one tough day to start as president of the City Council. Verna received a baptism by fire, but she is up to the job." Although Feeley attributed the Council's recent growing pains to the nature of an election year, Nutter sounded optimistic as the day drew to a close. "As long as we stay focused, we have a way of working things out."
