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.”
4 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 5 MAY, 2011
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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.
5 MAY, 2011 THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD | 5
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
6 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 5 MAY, 2011
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.
5 MAY, 2011 THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD | 7
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%
8 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 5 MAY, 2011
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.
5 MAY, 2011 THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD | 9
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.
10 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 5 MAY, 2011
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.
5 MAY, 2011 THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD | 11
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.