Philadelphia Daily Record

PhiladelphiaDaily Record

Vol. II No. 57 (217) Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia May 5, 2011

MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers and Police

Commissioner Charles Ramsey pay tribute to fallen police officers and firefight-

ers during National Anthem at Living Flame Memorial on at Franklin Square

Park yesterday. See story page 5. Photo by Tony Webb, Office of the City Repre-sentative.

ForeverIn Our Hearts

2 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 5 MAY, 2011

Obama Gets 6-Pt. Spike After

Bin Laden Dies, Poll FindsAmerican voters approve 52-40% of the job President

Barack Obama is doing, his highest score in almost

two years and up from a 46-48% approval among

voters surveyed before the President announced the

death of Osama bin Laden, according to a Quinnipiac

University poll released today.

This is President Obama’s highest job approval since

a 57-33% score in a Jul. 2, 2009, survey. Men shift

from a negative 39-54% before the bin Laden an-

nouncement to a positive 51-42% today. Women ap-

prove 53-39% today, compared to 52-43% as of

Sunday. Voter approval of Obama’s handling of for-

eign issues also is up this week. But Obama’s 20-

point negative score for handling the economy is

unchanged and voter attitudes on whether he deserves

reelection are only slightly improved.

Voters surveyed after the bin Laden announcement

say 46-42% the President deserves to be reelected,

compared to a negative 45-48% before bin Laden.

“The killing of Osama bin Laden has helped Presi-

dent Barack Obama’s popularity but not massively,”

said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quin-

nipiac University Polling Institute. “Voters have

upped their opinion of the president’s handling of na-

tional security matters. But they have not changed

their minds about his stewardship of the economy.

The number of people opposed to his reelection has

dropped, although they seem to have moved to ‘unde-

cided,’ rather than to the pro-Obama column,” Brown

added. “The good news for the President is that his

largest improvement is among two key groups, men

and independent voters.”

Independent voters go from a negative 41-52% over-

all approval as of Sunday to a positive 47-41% today.

But only 36% of independent voters say today he de-

serves reelection, compared to 41% Sunday.

Casey Awarded ‘BIO Legislator Of Year’

For Boosting Life SciencesUS Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), a

member of the Senate Health, Edu-

cation, Labor & Pensions Commit-

tee, was named Legislator of the

Year for 2010-2011 yesterday by

the Biotechnology Industry Organ-

ization.

“Investments in biosciences are

critically important for Pennsylva-

nia and the nation because they

improve people’s lives and are an

engine of economic growth,” said

the Senator. “I am honored to re-

ceive BIO’s Legislator of the Year

award and look forward to contin-

uing to support biosciences for the

sake of America’s economic health

as well as the health of its citi-

zens.”

“The Senator’s service on the

Health, Education, Labor & Pen-

sions Committee has been tremen-

dously important to this nation’s

health-care industry and the pa-

tients we serve,” said BIO Presi-

dent and CEO Jim Greenwood.

“Furthermore, we are grateful for

his leadership on other issues criti-

cal to our nation’s biotech industry,

such as his sponsorship of the Life

Sciences Jobs and Investment

Act.”

Pennsylvania BIO President

Christopher Molineaux said, “His

leadership on numerous issues of

importance to the industry and

commitment to meeting with and

understanding the needs of indi-

vidual bioscience companies

should serve as a model to all his

colleagues in the Senate.”

Casey has been a strong supporter

of funding for the National Insti-

tutes of Health, fighting to prevent

cuts to the agency to prevent the

country from falling behind on re-

search that stimulates the economy

and promotes advances in treat-

ments and cures for diseases. He

also continues to champion a ro-

5 MAY, 2011 THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD | 3

bust biodefense and countermea-

sure program to protect Ameri-

cans.

Last year, Casey introduced the

Life Sciences Jobs & Investment

Act (S. 4018) to promote innova-

tion and job creation by providing

targeted tax incentives for small

and mid-sized businesses to invest

in life-sciences research and devel-

opment. Casey will reintroduce the

legislation soon.

In March, Casey introduced the

Creating Hope Act (S. 606) to en-

courage greater investment in de-

velopment of new treatments and

cures for rare and neglected dis-

eases affecting children.

Josephs Bashes ‘Marriage

Amendment’ BillState Rep. Babette Josephs (D-S. Phila.) issued the

following statement in response to the introduction of

legislation that would define marriage in the Pennsyl-

vania Constitution.

“Never is the right time for this discriminatory legis-

lation, in my opinion, but especially today, what with

all of the challenges Pennsylvanians face, constitu-

tional amendments making certain people second-

class citizens are especially repugnant,” Josephs said.

“This Republican-supported plan detracts from the

serious issues resulting from our difficult economy,

including high unemployment, educating our children

properly, protecting our environment and filling a sig-

nificant State budget gap.

“We have a Governor who has demonstrated he does-

n’t value learning, the environment or the working

poor. Our task

now is to restore

public-education

funding,

strengthen the

safety-net pro-

grams and to en-

sure health care

for the 41,000

working poor he

kicked out of the

adultBasic pro-

gram and to

eliminate the

Governor’s $2

billion slush

fund. It is also

imperative we protect our public forests and drinking

water from international oil and gas conglomerates

drilling in the Marcellus Shale. Raising the issue of

same-sex marriage is at its best frivolous and its

worst, destructive and profoundly un-American.

“Indeed, now a majority of Americans (51%) look fa-

vorably at same-sex marriages and unions. It is con-

trary to their American sense of fair play and justice.

“Furthermore, under this constitutional amendment,

our fight against domestic violence is stymied. A

woman who faces abuse, or even death, at the hands

of a tormentor to whom she is not married, has no

way to remove that person from the home, because

government would not recognize her domestic part-

nership status. Children in the household will suffer.

This has occurred in states that have adopted similar

measures.

“Domestic partners who are recipients of public-sec-

tor bargaining benefits will lose them, because gov-

ernment may not recognize any relationship other

than formal marriage. Blameless children of these

unions will be especially hard hit.

“I am unalterably opposed to this amendment and the

mean-spirited, small-minded mentality that supports

it. Last session and the session before when I was in

the majority, I was instrumental in stopping this un-

wise and unjust policy. I intend to do all in my power

to make sure that marriage between Pennsylvania cit-

izens of the same sex becomes legal.”


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T h e P h i l a d e l p h i a P u b l i c R e c o r d C a l e n d a r

May 5-

Phila. Young Democrats host

BLUE: Pre-primary Election

Soirée aboard Moshulu at Penn’s

Landing, 401 S. Columbus Blvd.,

5:30-8:30 p.m. Admission $20 in-

cludes hors d’oeuvres and raffle

for gifts and services. For info

Dough Bennett (484) 225-3129 or

purchase online

blue55.eventbrite.com.

May 5-

Fundraiser for Derrick Coker For

Municipal Court at New Palla-

dium, 229 W. Allegheny Ave.,

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

Renoso (215) 740-5273.

May 5-

State Sen. Mike Stack’s Democrat

58th Ward Reception at Bliss

Restaurant, 224 S. Broad St., 5:30-

7 p.m. Tickets available. Contact

Rosemary (215) 964-3140.

May 5-

Democrat 43rd Ward Cinco de

Mayo Beef & Beer at Copas

Cubanas, 4637 N. 5th St., 6-9 p.m.

Donations $35.

May 5-

Fundraiser for judicial candidate

Angelo Foglietta at DePasquale

Law Offices, 2332-34 S. Broad

St., 1st fl., 6 p.m. Patron $250,

Friend $150, Supporter $100. For

info Thomas T. Muldoon, Jr. (215)

545-1776.

May 5-

Cocktail fundraiser for Phila. Re-

publican Leadrship Council, Rac-

quet Club, 6 p.m.

May 5-

Fundraiser for Communities

United PAC at Mill Creek Tavern,

42nd & Chester Ave., 6 p.m. $15

at door. For info Rasheen Crews

(215) 807-9255. PAC is supporting

State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson for

2nd Dist. Council, Fred Mari for

Traffic Court and Stephanie

Sawyer for Common Pleas Ct.

May 5-

Fundraiser Reception and Dinner

for Council candidate Verna Tyner

at Primo’s, 8460 Limekiln Pk.,

Wyncote, Pa., 7-11 p.m.

May 6-

State Sen. Shirley Kitchen hosts

Senior Healthy Living Expo at Co-

lumbia N. YMCA, 1400 N. Broad

St., 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free event.

Breakfast and lunch will be

served. For info (215) 227-6161.

May 6-

State Rep. Michael McGeehan

hosts tour of Samuel Baxter Water

Treatment Plant celebrating Na-

tional Drinking Water Week at

9001 State Rd., 10 a.m. To join

tour call Nancy Hartey (215) 333-

9760. Need photo ID.

May 6-

22nd Ward Democrat Committee

Spring Fundraiser at Gathering

Place, 6755 Germantown Ave., 6-8

p.m. Candidates $100, community

$50. Meet 8th Dist. City Council,

at-Large City Council and judicial

candidates. For info Ward Leader

Ron Couser (215) 817-6159.

May 6-

AOH 40 names John McNesby

Labor Leader of Year at Ironwork-

ers Ha., 11600 Norcom Rd., 7-11

p.m. Open bar, dinner, music.

Tickets $50. For info Brian Cole-

man (215) 779-1330.

May 6-

Cocktail fundraiser for 8th Dist.

Council candidate Verna Tyner at

Maia’s Fine Dining & Jazz, 5920

Greene St., 7-11 p.m. $50. For info

(267) 297-7470.


Mayor Leads Tribute At ‘Living Flame’

AT CEREMONIAL CLOSE of Living

Flame Memorial Service to honor City’s

fallen police and fire personnel, five

doves were released. Photo by TonyWebb, Office of the City Representative

Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Deputy

Mayor for Public Safety Everett A.

Gillison and other officials hon-

ored police officers and firefight-

ers in the City of Philadelphia’s

annual Living Flame Memorial

Service, at Franklin Square Park

yesterday.

The Living Flame Memorial Serv-

ice recognizes the sacrifices of

Philadelphia police officers and

firefighters who died in the line of

duty. Since records were started in

1871, 286 members of the

Philadelphia Fire Dept. have made

the ultimate sacrifice in the official

line of duty. Since 1828, at least

250 Philadelphia police officers

have died on duty.

The Mayor, Police Commissioner

Charles H. Ramsey and Fire Com-

missioner Lloyd Ayers led a pro-

cession of family members of the

fallen Philadelphia police officers

and firefighters who died over the

years in service to the City placing

wreaths and carnations at the base

of the Living Flame Memorial.

The names of deceased police offi-

cers and firefighters who suc-

cumbed while serving the public

are inscribed on plaques on the

monument.

Firefighter Joseph Dugan’s mem-

ory was honored and his name was

added to a plaque of deceased fire

personnel at the Living Flame Me-

morial. Dugan suffered injuries

while fighting a fire on a ship in

Philadelphia in 1942. He passed

away the following year, resulting

from the incident. Firefighter

Dugan was a hoseman on Fire

Boat 2, a Fire Dept. rescue unit


specifically trained and equipped

to manage complex fires (on boats,

railroad cars, explosions, subway

accidents, collapsed buildings). He

was severely injured while being

lowered into hatch while attached

to a rope onboard a burning ship.

He lived on the 1900 block of

Hamilton Street in the city’s Fair-

mount section. He was survived by

his wife Margaret and eight chil-

dren.

Nutter said, “We have lost no ac-

tive officers or firefighters in our

ranks this past year and, for that,

we are eternally grateful.”

Nutter added: “From the selfless

act of David Humphreys, the first

firefighter on record to die in the

line of duty back in 1872, to the

most recent police officer who per-

ished in the line of duty in 2009,

Officer John Pawlowski, we honor

those who made the supreme sacri-

fice. We offer our deepest sympa-

thy to all of the families who have

lost their loved ones in the line of

duty. The City of Philadelphia is

forever in their debt. And as the

10th anniversary of Sep. 11 ap-

proaches, we are further reminded

of the courage and vulnerability of

all of our men and women in uni-

form who walk a fine line between

life and death every day.”

Other program participants from

the law-enforcement community

included: Fraternal Order of Po-

lice/Philadelphia Lodge 5; Frater-

nal Order of Police/University of

Pennsylvania, Lodge 113;

Philadelphia Firefighters Union,

Local 22; Police and Fire Color

Guards; Philadelphia Police and

Fire Pipes and Drums Band; Police

Department Rifle Team; Police

Dept. Honor Guard; Police Dept.

Buglers; Retired Police, Fire, &

Prison Guard Association; Polish

Police Association; International

German-American Police Associa-

tion; American Legion Police Post

937; and various representatives of

the clergy, including from the

League of the Sacred Heart of

Jesus, Shomrim Society/Philadel-

phia, Delaware Valley Region and

the Police Chaplains Office.

Trained white doves were released

at the conclusion of the ceremony

to symbolically honor all of the

fallen police and fire personnel.

The Living Flame Memorial Serv-

ice precedes National Police Week

(May 15-21), which memorializes

those in law enforcement, who

gave their lives to protect and

serve the public.

W. Phila. Hybrid X Team

Takes Top National HonorsThe West Philadelphia HS Hybrid X Team recently

took top honors in the Conrad Foundation’s Spirit

of Innovation Competition, a program that chal-

lenges teams of high-school students to create inno-

vative products using science, technology, and

entrepreneurship to solve 21st century, real-world

problems. They are only one of four high-school

teams from the US and the UK to receive such an

honor.

The team traveled to California to compete as final-

ists and took home the Spirit of Innovation Award

for their work on the EVX GT, a performance-

minded hybrid car combining power with sustain-

ability and range. “I am overwhelmingly proud of

these students and their ability to accomplish their

goals and challenge each other to achieve great

things,” said West Philadelphia Principal John

Chapman. “They have only begun to realize their

potential and I’m excited to see where they go from

here.”

The West Philadelphia Team is led by Coach Paul

Holt and team members Stefon Gonzales, Kaya

Presley, Leon Johnson, Brandon Graham and

Shamere Palmer. “These students are the embodi-

ment of what it means to be a team and exemplify

what can be accomplished when we empower our

students,” said Coach Holt. “They’ve worked so

hard throughout the year and to see their efforts re-

warded on a national stage is incredibly inspiring.”

The Conrad Foundation is a 501(C)3 organization

built upon astronaut Charles “Pete” Conrad’s his-

tory of innovation and entrepreneurship. Conrad’s

accomplishments spanned three decades of manned

space flight.


Butkovitz Uncovers Weak Monitoring Of

Law Dept. Payments To Collection Agency

City Controller Alan Butkovitz re-

leased a report yesterday entitled,

“Review of Contract Compliance

Procedures” for the City’s Law

Dept. that uncovered 85% of the

commissions paid or to be paid to

the City’s real-estate tax-collection

agency could not be supported

with corroborating documents to

justify the commission payments.

The City’s Co-Counsel,

Linebarger, Goggan, Blair &

Sampson, LLP, was paid $5.5 mil-

lion to collect $47.6 million in

delinquent real-estate taxes during

the two-year period covered in the

report.

A sample of $133,470 in commis-

sions selected from detailed infor-

mation provided by the Law Dept.

as support for payments to

Linebarger found $112,833 of the

commission amounts could not be

conclusively corroborated.

Butkovitz called these figures

“troubling.” He added, “We must

ensure the firm is receiving a com-

mission only for revenue that it

generated.”

Co-Counsel collections occur after

the City’ Revenue Dept. submits

delinquent real-estate tax accounts

to the Law Dept. to initiate collec-

tion efforts. The Law Dept. then

sends the accounts to the Co-

Counsel, who gets a commission

agreed to in its contract, for its col-

lection efforts.

In reviewing transactions with

other third parties involved in the

collection process along with

Linebarger, it was found that for

18 of 23 sampled amounts,

Linebarger did not provide the re-

quired Petition and Rule order to

prove that they were involved in

the collection effort.

The review also found approxi-

mately 20% of the expense in-

voices could not be supported or

justified. In addition, auditors were

unable to determine the deposit

dates on collection checks because

two different databases contained

different, conflicting data and im-

ages.

“There is no excuse for one depart-

ment to have a database that can-

not sync within systems used by

other City agencies,” said

Butkovitz. “Technology cannot be

used as an excuse for uncorrobo-

rated payments and incomplete

documents, especially if our City

has any hope of meeting the de-

mands of today’s technology.”

Parking Employees Urge Customers

To Roll Back TaxParking-garage employees throughout the city

greeted their clients yesterday morning with postcards

in hand, urging them to support the movement to

lower the 20% parking tax to 15%.

Representatives of the Philadelphia Parking Associa-

tion will present their proposal before the City Coun-

cil Rules Committee on May 11.

The postcards informed customers they pay a 20%

City Tax every time they park. This is one of the

highest parking taxes in the nation – almost 2%

higher than New York City’s tax. In addition, the As-

sociation’s licensed parking operators are competing

against more than100 unlicensed lots in the city –

parking operators who pay no taxes at all.

“Anyone who has run a business or a household

budget can see what we are up against. Fifty-five per-

cent of our operating expenses go to taxes – the Park-

ing Tax, Property Tax, Use & Occupancy Tax and the

Wage Tax. That means we have already paid out 55%


in taxes before we begin to pay our employees, our

utility bills and our insurance,” pointed out Robert

Zuritsky, president of The Parkway Corp. and head of

the Philadelphia Parking Association.

The proposed legislation calls for steps to balance the

revenue scales by enforcing existing laws on the

rogue lots and hiring two City auditors.

The parking tax stood at 15% until 2008, when it was

increased to its current 20%.

Councilman James Kenney, sponsor of the legisla-

tion, says it is time for the tax to be reduced. He also

said he is in negotiations with Mayor Michael Nutter

on lowering the tax. If the tax is passed at Wednes-

day’s hearing, it will go before the full Council before

this year’s session ends.

Miller Celebrates Opening

Of Presser Senior Apts.

Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller

and Mayor Michael A. Nutter

joined Nolen Properties to cele-

brate the opening of Presser Senior

Apartments on historic Johnson

Street in Mount Airy. The develop-

ment, which was supported in part

by federal stimulus funds, restored

a 1914 historic property at risk of

demolition into 45 mixed-income

apartments for seniors.

Presser Senior Apartments was re-

cently awarded a Preservation Al-

liance of Greater Philadelphia

Grand Jury Award for successfully

maintaining the historic integrity

of the building while adding mod-

ern amenities and energy efficient

features during the restoration.

Originally commissioned by sheet-

music publisher and philanthropist

Theodore Presser, the Presser

Home for Retired Music Teachers

is a grand 52,248-square-foot

building that once housed those

who dedicated their lives to music.

The building became vacant in

2002, suffered significant deterio-

ration and was a candidate for

demolition under plans of prior

owners. A coalition of community

groups formed to prevent the dem-

olition, and in 2005 they suc-

ceeded in adding the Presser Home

to the National Register of Historic

Places.

With the assistance of the Council-

woman, Nolen Properties acquired

the property in 2006 with the

promise to restore it to its original

beauty while using the structures

in a manner pleasing to the neigh-

bors. The development preserves a

cornerstone building in the

Philadelphia City Planning Com-

mission 2004 Mount Airy Neigh-

borhood Plan and has set the stage

for the restoration of the adjacent

Nugent building, also to become

senior affordable housing.

Miller said, “The significant his-

tory of this community is one of

the reasons it is so special. I com-

mend Nolen Properties, not just

for preserving an important corner-

stone building, but also for listen-

ing to the residents of this neigh-

borhood.”

“Together, we created nearly 140

construction jobs. We believe the

philanthropic mission of the origi-

nal home remains in the modern

Presser Senior Apartments,” said

Jim Nolen, president of Nolen

Properties.

Six apartments are accessible for

people with physical disabilities

and two more apartments are ac-

cessible to persons with vision or

hearing impairments. Residents

must be age 62 and above. The six

apartments for people with physi-

cal disabilities will be available to

seniors with incomes at or below

20% of the Area Median Income,

($13,725 for one person); 21 apart-

ments will be affordable to seniors

with incomes at or below 50% of

AMI ($27,450 for one person) and

18 apartments will be affordable to

seniors at or below 60% of the

AMI ($32, 940 for one person).

Miller helped provide $2,000,000

in stimulus funds for the CDBG-R

program.


Roberts Bows Out Of

2nd Dist. Race, Backs Johnson

South Philadelphia community leader Damon K.

Roberts announced yesterday he is ending his cam-

paign for Philadelphia City Council’s 2nd District in

the May 17 Democratic Primary, effective immedi-

ately.

Roberts announced he is officially withdrawing as a

candidate and endorsing State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson

(D-S. Phila.) for the position.

“After spending the past few weeks speaking with

supporters, my family and key community leaders

throughout Philadelphia, I have decided that I can

best serve Philadelphia at this time as a civic and

community leader and not as an elected official,” said

Roberts.

“I have carefully studied the track records of other

candidates running in the 2ndDist. Democratic Pri-

mary and have developed a healthy respect for all of

them.” Roberts continued. “Kenyatta and I have been

friends for years and have worked on many projects

together. I expect Kenyatta will be an excellent mem-

ber of City Council.”

“I thank Damon for his endorsement and support,”

Johnson said. “He ran a strong campaign and he

should be proud of his accomplishments.”

Roberts, 40, is a Democratic Committeeperson in the

36th Ward; a block captain; former President of the

City Wide Neighborhood Advisory Council’s Al-

liance Board; and current Chairperson of South

Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks. Roberts is also

Vice Chairperson of Board of Directors of the Hous-

ing Association of the Delaware Valley, and VP,

Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity Philadel-

phia.

A real-estate and land-use attorney in his 10th year of

practice, Roberts served as the president of The Bar-

risters’ Association of Philadelphia, 2004-2005. The

Barristers represent more than 1,200 African Ameri-

can attorneys in the Philadelphia vicinity.

Kitchen To Host Senior Healthy Living Expo

State Sen. Shirley Kitchen’s up-

coming 7th annual Senior Healthy

Living Expo will be held tomor-

row from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the

Columbia North YMCA, 1400 N.

Broad Street (Broad & Master

Streets).

The theme of this year’s expo is

“Baby Boomers and Beyond:

Mind, Body and Spirit.” The expo

will have a variety of exhibitors,

health screenings, door prizes,

giveaways, fitness demonstrations

and entertainment. Participants

will learn more about tax-estate

planning, nutrition, finding em-

ployment after age 50, dementia

and Alzheimer’s disease and more.

Estella Hyde, state director, AARP

of Pennsylvania, will be the

keynote speaker. Dobbins HS Cos-

metology & Barbering Unit will

host a “pamper me” section featur-

ing hand, neck and back massages,

mini-manicures, makeup applica-

tions and barber cuts for men.


Employment Lawyer Stuart Davidson Is Reap-

pointed Vice-Chair Of Law Examiners Board

Philadelphia labor and employ-

ment law firm Willig, Williams

& Davidson is pleased to an-

nounce Partner Stuart W.

Davidson has been reappointed

Vice-Chair of the Pennsylvania

Board of Law Examiners.

Davidson’s second three-year

term on the Board commenced

on April 1, 2011. Under the aus-

pices of the Supreme Court of

Pennsylvania, the seven-member

Board emphasizes the impor-

tance of professional responsibil-

ity and character in the legal

profession, and evaluates the

likelihood of an aspiring

lawyer’s ability to uphold and

commit to the standards of the

profession.

In carrying out this mission, the

Board reviews bar-admission rules

and recommends rule changes, re-

views proposed essay examination

questions and analyses, approves

examination results, sets policy

and handles all other bar-admission

obligations as charged by the

Court.

“I am honored to serve the Penn-

sylvania Supreme Court by acting

as the Vice-Chair of its Board of

Law Examiners,” said Davidson.

Davidson has represented labor

unions and employee-benefit plans

for nearly three decades. He counts

among his clients a wide range of

union workers, including musi-

cians, longshoremen, food and

commercial workers, university

faculty, machinists, firefighters, po-

lice officers, teamsters, football

players and many others. His work

for public- and private-sector

unions includes leading contract

negotiations, presenting interest

and grievance arbitrations, repre-

senting employee benefit funds and

advising clients on internal union

matters. Davidson has also played

key roles in the development of

new and progressive benefit struc-

tures with the pension, health and

welfare plans he represents.

Davidson is a frequent lecturer,

teacher and author on such issues

as ERISA, fiduciary responsibili-

ties, labor law, employment dis-

crimination, OSHA matters, drug

and alcohol testing and other labor

and employment concerns. A dedi-

cated member of his community,

he has been a commissioner of the

Delaware River Port Authority;

board member and executive com-

mittee member of the Development

Corp. for Israel; member of the In-

ternational Foundation of Em-

ployee Benefit Plans’ Attorneys

Committee; President of the Amer-

ican Friends of the Yitzhak Rabin

Center; and a member of the Board

of Trustees of The Johns Hopkins

University. Davidson has also re-

ceived the Jewish Labor Commit-

tee’s Humanitarian Award.

Willig, Williams & Davidson is

one of the largest and most re-

spected union-side labor-law firms

in the United States. Founded in

1979, the firm focuses on repre-

senting labor unions, employee

benefit funds, individual working

people and their families on a vari-

ety of legal fronts, including na-

tional, regional and local contract

negotiations; dispute resolution

through mediation, arbitration and

litigation; tax and benefit law com-

pliance issues; discrimination and

other employment matters; advo-

cacy for injured workers; and pre-

paid legal services for union

members.


The Bridge Club, Premiering Tonight, Fea-

tures Local Ben Franklin Impersonatorby Adam Taxin

The world premiere of the new

play The Bridge Club is scheduled

for tonight at 7 p.m. at Society Hill

Playhouse (507 S. 8th Street in

Center City).

The play’s foundation is the deci-

sion by Jack, a man in his late 30s

whose virulent cancer has just re-

turned, to take his own life. He

heads to the nation’s “it” suicide

destination, the Golden Gate

Bridge between San Francisco and

Marin Co., and soon discovers his

karma is such that he is not even

the only person on the bridge with

suicide in mind on that November

evening. The interaction that fol-

lows between Jack and the simi-

larly-suicide-intending Sue drives

the play’s action, dialogue and

eventual surprises.

The under-two-hour play is written

by Richard Raskind, whose credits

include television shows such as

“Hart to Hart,” “Coach” and

“Family Ties,” as well as dramatic

productions such as Newtonville

Weekly, which won three Drama-

Logue Awards in Los Angeles.

Both leads are making their Soci-

ety Hill Playhouse debuts. Jack is

played by Michael Kelberg of

Cherry Hill via Northeast Philly,

who is perhaps most familiar to

audiences for his roles in commer-

cials for Susquehanna Bank and

Cottman Transmission. Sue is

played by Laura Chaneski, who

has recently performed at the

Bucks Co. Playhouse in Footloose

and A Christmas Carol.

The Bridge Club performer likely

most recognizable to audiences is

that of Bill Robling, who plays

Harold Smyth, the police officer

on the bridge who encounters the

two contemplating suicide. Al-

though Robling has an extensive

theatre, opera and commercial-

and-industrial-video resume, he is

most in the public eye due to the

over 100 appearances he makes

per year portraying Benjamin

Franklin, including in the “Inde-

pendence After Hours” show at In-

dependence Hall. (Outside

Philadelphia, Robling has been

featured, for example, in the His-

tory Channel film Ben Franklin:An American Life.)

Robling describes his character,

who patrols on bicycle for the

Golden Gate Bridge Authority, as

“basically a keeper of the bridge,”

with a main job of looking out “for

people who are doing things they

shouldn’t do on the bridge, most

often looking to do away with

themselves.” Robling adds, “The

Golden Gate Bridge has histori-

cally been, as I say in the play, an

attraction for people who are

thinking of harming themselves.

By the time this play is set, some

1,300 people have jumped from

the bridge from the time it opened

in 1936. Harold Smyth patrols that

bridge from 1936 up until the late

1960s. He is very much invested in

looking out for people who might

be thinking of joining ‘The BridgeClub.’”

The actor considers his interaction

with Jack his favorite part of the

play: “He’s someone that I en-

counter and have a fairly lengthy

conversation with.”

Of the play, Robling says, “I think

it has a nice humanity about it. It

has that dark side, obviously, of

being jumping off a bridge. But

there’s enough humor in the play

to keep the audience from wanting

to jump off with them. It’s not a

very long play, so it’s not a huge

investment of time. I think it’s well

written and an interesting concept.

It’s not the same as a lot of things,

and there are some twists there.

Most of all, I think the audience

will find themselves relating to the

characters and liking the people in

the play.”

BILL ROBLING takes time off

from his life as Ben Franklin’s

double, to play a guardian of

would-be suicides.

Philadelphia Daily Record

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