philadelphia daily record

PhiladelphiaDaily Record

Vol. I No. 134 Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia January 7, 2011

PUNCHING A HOLE through barrier of I-95 between Old City and Delaware

River, a new Race Street Connector aims to open waterfront to pedestrian access.

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2 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 7 JANUARY, 2011

Race St. Connector

Leads New Round

Of Waterfront Im-

provements

Mayor Michael A. Nutter and the

Delaware River Waterfront Corp.

announced plans for the next gen-

eration of waterfront projects. With

initial early-action projects either

completed or well underway,

DRWC prepares to transition into

the next phase of work, which will

be greatly facilitated by a new two-

year, $5 million grant by the

William Penn Foundation. The

grant will be used for ongoing de-

velopment projects on the water-

front and will aid DRWC in

realizing the goals outlined in the

Master Plan for the Central

Delaware. DRWC will leverage

this grant to utilize existing capital

reserves and actively seek addi-

tional grants.

“The development of the Central

Delaware is a project that will rein-

vent Philadelphia’s relationship

with its waterfront in 10, 20, 30

years from now. The plans we

make today will result in a lasting

monument of our dedication to

green space, recreation and the

value of community input for the

next generation of Philadelphians,”

said the Mayor. “DRWC has made

a very impressive beginning in im-

plementing this community vision

for the waterfront, and I’m de-

lighted that they are being recog-

nized for their hard work.”

As the Master Plan nears comple-

tion, DRWC will be identifying the

next set of waterfront projects to be

undertaken within the next two

years. These projects will include

key initiatives such as improving

connections between the City and

the River, enhancing or creating

more public/green space along the

waterfront and extending the

Delaware River Trail.

As its first new project, DRWC

plans to connect Philadelphia and

Old City to the new Race Street

Pier, now under construction, be-

ginning with the Race Street Con-

nector. The Race Street Connector

will be built in conjunction with

the Race Street Pier. A combination

of design elements are proposed to

enhance connectivity to the river

and to improve the pedestrian and

bike experience, including a dedi-

cated bike lane, signage, benches,

bollards, curb realignments, in-

creased sidewalk widths, cross-

walks, plantings and a dramatic

light screen along the right-side

wall of the underpasses.

An interactive light screen will

unify the spaces underneath the ex-

pressways above and draw people

to the waterfront. The screen is to

be made of expanded metal with

colorful lighting and bold signage.

A pair of markers – one in the city

and one at the river – will provide

additional markers to further em-

phasize the closeness of the

city to the river.

“These funds from the

William Penn Foundation

will not be sitting in a bank

account,” said Tom Corco-

ran, president of DRWC.

“For example, $650,000 will

be dedicated immediately to

complete the Race Street

Connector.”

DRWC’s Master Planners

have identified 34 streets

that already run under I-95

to Columbus

Boulevard/Delaware Av-

enue. DRWC will prioritize

10-12 key connections and

undertake, within the next

two years, two or three new

connector projects to en-

hance and improve access to

the waterfront, addressing

the perceived physical and esthetic

barrier created by I-95. The Master

Plan will also detail a series of new

public parks/green spaces at key

locations along the waterfront

which DRWC will begin to pursue.

“What’s really special about this

work is the fact that it grew di-

rectly from public input,” said

Feather O. Houstoun, president of

the William Penn Foundation.

“People said they wanted better

public access and more tangible

links between their city and the wa-

terfront. The Race Street Connec-

tor is a tremendous example of

how a great city undertakes a major

urban redesign.”

Two years ago, Nutter called for

smart development of the Central

Delaware Waterfront and created

DRWC to carry out this initiative.

He empowered this new organiza-

tion with a strong independent

board and charged it with an un-

precedented level of transparency

to insure that the public would

have a strong voice in any future

planning.

Early actions included the first

stages of a new waterfront bike and

recreation trail, improving public

access to the River by creating

green public spaces along the

Delaware River, which included

Washington Avenue Green and the

Race Street Pier, and the thoughtful

development of a comprehensive

Master Plan for the Central

Delaware River Waterfront.

DRWC either has or will complete

each of these projects on time and

on budget.

“A commitment like this from the

William Penn Foundation demon-

strates strong support of the City's

vision for an accessible and green

waterfront designed by community

input,” said Councilman Frank Di-

Cicco.

7 JANUARY, 2011 THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD | 3

OVERPASS IMPROVEMENTS will turn a dark, forbidding concrete

slip into a welcoming pathway to waterfront.


City Officials

Urge Winter

Weather

CautionMayor Michael A. Nutter urged

caution today to all motorists and

pedestrians on Philadelphia’s

streets during winter weather con-

ditions. The Streets Dept. started

snow operations on Thursday and

will continue throughout Friday

until conditions improve. There are

currently 100 trucks on Philadel-

phia’s streets dispensing 3,000 tons

of road salt. Last night at 10:00

a.m., Streets crews began applying

a brine solution to prevent icing on

roadways.

“I want to urge all drivers to use

caution while on the road today.

Even after the snow stops this af-

ternoon, the roads could still have

black ice on them. Also, check on

your elderly neighbors and family

to make sure they’re safe and pre-

pared for the weather,” said Mayor

Nutter. “I would like to thank our

Streets Dept. crews for being out

there early and clearing our streets

quickly and efficiently for the

morning rush hour.”

Friday’s trash collection has not

been impeded by winter weather

conditions. Residents should leave

out their trash for Friday pickup.

Citizens are urged to employ the

following tips:

• Clear a sidewalk path of at

least 36” wide within six hours of

the end of the storm.

• Apply commercial de-icer

to your stairs and sidewalks early

to prevent icy conditions.

• Park your car as far from

the corner as possible. Cars parked

too close to the corner impede the

turning radius of salting vehicles.

To report a street in need of salting

or plowing or for more information

on any Streets Department program

or service, call 3-1-1. You may also

visit online at

www.phila.gov/streets/Snow.html.

Courts Seek

Outside Aid

To Rake In

Monies DueOfficials of the Philadelphia Court

system (the 1st Judicial Dist. of

Pennsylvania) announced today

that it is seeking attorneys who are

specialists in collections practice to

execute, and collect, on court judg-

ments for outstanding fines, fees,

costs, restitution, and bail judg-

ments owed to the City of Philadel-

phia, Commonwealth of

Pennsylvania and victims of crime.

Working closely with the Mayor’s

Office, the FJD developed the RFP

and has established an Office of

Court Compliance to monitor and

direct the FJD’s comprehensive

collection campaign.

The Court is actively seeking pay-

ment on 400,000 accounts with

outstanding balances totaling $1.5

billion (this includes $1 billion in

bail judgments). Those who do not

voluntarily make payments to bring

their payment plans up to date by

Feb. 28, 2011, will face substantial

collection costs and interest on top

of the balance already owed, exe-

cution and sale of their property by

the Sheriff, and a warrant for their

arrest for failure to comply with a

court order.

To make arrangements for payment

of court ordered financial obliga-

tions, email the court accounting

unit at

[email protected]

v, or call (215) 683-1482. Emails

are preferred.

President Judge Pamela Dembe de-

clared, “Time is up for those who

owe restitution to their victims and

court costs to the City. We have en-

couraged folks to step up and take

responsibility for their debts. Law-

abiding citizens are not willing to

let these debts slide. We take seri-

ously our role in helping the City

survive these very difficult finan-

cial times. We also believe that vic-

tims are entitled to be made

7 JANUARY, 2011 THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD | 5

Jan. 7-

Lunch with Judge Jimmy Lynn at

Vesper Club, 216 S. Sydenham St.,

12:30 p.m.

Jan. 14-

Fundraiser Reception for Council

candidate Lawrence Clark at Chart

House, 555 S. Columbus Blvd., 6-9

p.m. Tickets $15.

Jan. 17-

MLK celebration and Awards by

American Legion Henry Hill Post

385 and McDonald’s at Grays Ferry,

at Mtg. Zion Pentecostal Ch., 1226-

28 Point Breeze Ave., 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Commander William Denny host.

Jan. 17-

Phila.Tea Party Patriots NW meet-

ing at Kendrick Rec Ctr., 5800 block

Ridge Ave. by Roxborough Mem.

Hosp. at 7 p.m. Speakers are Com-

missioner candidate Al Schmidt and

Council candidate Sandy Stewart.

For info Mike Lodise (2115) 487-

0118 or Pat Haraburda (215) 482-

7991, or [email protected].

Jan. 19-

Reception for GOP 1st Council Dist.

candidate Lou Lanni at home of 5th

Ward Leader Michael A. Cibik, Esq.,

334 S. Front Street, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Jan. 27-

Edward J. Lowry, founder of Phila.

Veterans MultiService & Education

Ctr., will be honored on retirement

at Waterfall Rm. in Plumbers Local

690 Union Hall, 2791 Southampton

Rd., Cocktails 6-8 p.m., followed

by Tribute Program. Tickets $65.

Order by phone (215) 238-8050.

Event Chair Ed Keenan, Board

Chair Jim McNesby and Exec. Dir.

Marsha Four.

financially whole.”

Defendants can check the amount

they owe by reviewing the Docket

Sheets on the Pennsylvania’s Uni-

fied Judicial System’s Web portal

at

http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/Docket-

Sheets/CP.aspx (Search Type: “Par-

ticipant Name” – and entering their

name and Date of Birth)

Pay on-line on the secure web ap-

plication at http://ujsportal.pa-

courts.us/ePay/Default.aspx.

The monies collected through the

effort will be paid to the City of

Philadelphia, Commonwealth of

Pennsylvania, Crime Victims, and

other statutorily-required recipi-

ents.

For additional program informa-

tion, contact David Wasson Es-

quire, chief deputy court

administrator, at

[email protected].

School District

In The

Bulls-Eye?

The School District of Philadel-

phia, often at the center of spend-

ing controversies, may soon be

facing a high-powered investiga-

tion by an important public body.

Look for further information on

Monday.

Farnese Lauds

Approval Of

Airport

ExpansionState Sen. Larry Farnese said yes-

terday he is pleased the Federal

Aviation Administration has ap-

proved plans to expand Philadel-

phia International Airport.

“The expansion of the airport is

the right direction for the Philadel-

phia region,” said the Senator.

“The airport is recognized as a

huge economic generator, and the

expansion will mean thousands of

jobs.”

Farnese said that he hopes the city

can work out the financial details

involved in acquiring the necessary

properties in Tinicum Township as

well as the impact on residents.

Farnese is a strong proponent of a

first-class airport as vital to the fu-

ture of the city and the region.

“Progress means having the capac-

ity to attract more regional busi-

ness, more international business

and more tourism as we prepare for

the March opening of the new

Convention Center,” he said.

Additionally, the airport has been

consistently plagued by delays.

“The two new runways will allow

for more takeoffs and landings to

ease these delays,” he said.

President Barack Obama appeared

to be on the ropes after the beating

his party took in November and his

under 50% approval rating. But

until the Republicans find someone

who can defeat him, Obama has to

be considered a favorite to for re-

election.

The GOP may have the person who

could beat Obama, but New Jersey

Gov. Chris Christie still insists he

will not be a candidate for presi-

dent or vice president next year. A

recent Zogby poll found Christie

was the only one of seven possible

Republican candidates leading

Obama in a hypothetical 2012

match-up. It would be an intriguing

matchup between two men of very

different personal and governing

styles.

A poll conducted Dec. 30-Jan. 3

found Christie was the top choice

for 27% of Republican voters to be

the 2012 nominee, putting him

ahead of Mitt Romney (17%),

Sarah Palin (16%) and Mike Huck-

abee (14%). Christie led among

conservatives and Born-Again

Christians, and only trailed Rom-

ney by a few points among the few

moderate Republicans.

In head-to-head polls against

Obama, Christie led, 43%-40%.

Romney tied Obama at 40%-40%,

and all the other Republican names

we offered (Palin, Huckabee, John

Thune, Mitch Daniels and Tim

Pawlenty) trailed by from three to

seven points.

Despite those results, Christie still

says he won’t be running for na-

tional office. Responding to news

of our poll, Christie said: “I’m sure

the president is resting easy as we

speak right now knowing that the

only person who’s beating him in a

poll will once again declare that

I’m not running for president of the

United States.”

Polling two years out from an elec-

tion is far from definitive, and most

candidates poll much better before

the campaigning actually begins

and weaknesses are exposed. That

certainly applies to Christie, who

was a US Attorney before he beat

John Corzine in 2009.

Now, he is well-known among the

politically involved as the guy who

took on New Jersey public employ-

ees. Christie cut the State budget to

its smallest total in five years, with

major cuts to schools, municipali-

ties, mass transit and other areas.

He did this after months of conflict

with a Democratic-controlled legis-

lature.


Latest Poll: Only Christie Can Beat Obama

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