Share the wealth

Turns out that foodbanks have fallen on really hard times, just as economic and weather factors are driving demand to record levels. Trying to decide what to get your loved ones? Perhaps a donation in their name will give a warm glow that lasts a bit longer than chocolate or toys, since you'll be helping whole families get through the cold months. Something to consider, in terms of pitching in where you are . . .

Interesting alliances

Many Democrats were dismayed when Joe Hoeffel managed to secure a Commissioner position in Montgomery County only by displacing his fellow Democrat, Ruth Damsker, foiling hopes of a change in party affiliation in the county governing body. However, unexpected developments have put Hoeffel into an alliance with one of the Republicans, meaning that the GOP won't dominate the board. What the long-term effects of that will be on policy and other decisions is yet to be seen, but it's certainly an intriguing sign . . . (Note that AAJane had a wire on this development here.)

Holiday hiatus

I'm gonna take a break for the holidays, starting this week and extending possibly as long as the first week in January. No round-ups or weeks in review during that period, although any shocking or thrilling news might merit a break-through post now and again.



Don't know what next year is going to bring -- February marks the expected arrival of our first child, which throws all expectations out the window -- but I doubt I'm going to lose interest in local politics, so hopefully some new approach will present itself. Meantime, best holidays to all, however you might celebrate them . . .

Week in review: Theme IV = wireless

Remember that? Citywide wireless, regional pride, blah blah?

• The Phila Story: Learning from a Wireless Pioneer
  
  
• Wireless project over budget: EarthLink, which skipped a Council hearing, couldn't say when the network would be done.
  
  
• Earthlink a no-show for Council hearing
  
  
• YPP: What the Wi-Fi?
  
  
• Albert: WiFi Philly at City Council

Week in review: Theme III = Unions, minorities, and the Convention Center

• Clash over labor proposal looms: City Council will debate an amendment tomorrow that would allow nonunion labor on Convention Center work.
  
  
• Opinion: UNIONS LABELED FAILURES ON MINORITY WORKERS: COUNCIL AMENDMENT A GUTSY MOVE TO CHANGE STATUS QUO
  
  
• Nonunion-labor deal for center is in sight
  
  
• Uncertainty over bill on expansion
  
  
• Editorial | Diversity in the Unions: No fairness, no jobs
  
  
• Council to unions: Adopt city's hiring goals
  
  
• Add minority workers, unions told: Five black city leaders decried disparities in organized labor as well as a work-site incident.
  
  
• Opinion: LABOR DEBATE NOT ABOUT CENTER: ADDRESS MINORITY INCLUSION ON ALL PROJECTS
  
  
• Mystery story (paper link broken): Rendell threatens to jerk his support if Council, unions don't swiftly mend Convention Center hiring rift

Week in review: Theme II = schools

• CLASS(ROOM) WARFARE: NOW WE'LL SEE IF HARRISBURG IS SERIOUS ABOUT EDUCATION
  
  
• Deborah Leavy | How to help in the classroom
  
  
• Bringing Ethics Reform to the School District
  
  
• 37 finalists for CEO of city schools
  
  
• Extension OK'd for red-light plan but Senate nixes school $
  Also, Red-light cameras in; school $ out
  and Why do things stay the same? The Parking Authority, school funding and Harrisburg
  
  
• SRC keeps charter policy on track: The commission brushed aside some operators’ request to delay next week’s vote on oversight.

Week in review: Theme I = casinos

Shoot! I just deleted my Tuesday bookmarks. I suspect that that will leave some of my themes incompletely explored...

• Pa. high court allows probe of casino owner: A grand jury can continue to investigate if Louis A. DeNaples lied to get a slots license, it ruled.
  Also, Court: DeNaples probe can go on: Grand jury investigating casino owner
  
  
• NO MAS!: IT'S TIME TO THROW IN THE TOWEL ON THE CASINOS
  With response: Letters | REBUTTING THAT CASINO EDIT, POINT BY POINT
  
  
• Letters | Fighting to find casino alternatives
  
  
• Letters | Fumo explains casino goals

Week in review -- nonthematic bits

• Monday:
  
  
  
  1. Black majority in city, but lead lesser lives: Panel discusses fallout of 'Equality Index'
     and also As black middle class rises, black underclass falls
     and from the Weekly, A Black-and-White Issue: A new report identifies dramatic racial inequalities in Philadelphia.
     
     
  2. Progressives a-blog about Nutter-Brady
     and Nutter answer questions about party reform. Sort of.
     
     
  3. YPP: Rx4PA: House Bill 2098 would do for Pennsylvania what Medicare has done for everyone
  
  
• Tuesday:
  
  
  
  1. $ource of Lally-Green election ads still a mystery; legal tiff continues
     
     
  2. Editorial | Pols' N.Y. Party: Pa. loses
  
  
• Wednesday:
  
  
  
  1. DRPA's heavy debt burden: Having spent lavishly over the years, it's now short of money for critical repairs. Tolls are likely to increase.
     
     
  2. Nutter endorses Clinton
     
     
  3. Deeper look into slavery -- updates to the President's House memorial
     
     
  4. AAJane: Two More for Treasurer
  
  
• Thursday:
  
  
  
  1. Violent crime dips in Phila.: Homicides, shootings and armed robberies are down from a year ago. The turnaround drew cautious praise.
     
     
  2. Senate sends energy plan to House
     
     
  3. PGW has a 'miraculous metamorphosis'
     
     
  4. Outsider is named managing director
     and From D.C. Nutter picks his No. 2
     
     
  5. CityPaper: The Big Bounce: Why do some PHA security guards have such a hard time getting paid?
  
  
• Friday:
  
  
  
  1. Fish kill to cost Merck more than $20 million
     
     
  2. Bill will require low-cost housing: City Council approved the measure, under which developers must build or fund affordable units.
     also, Inclusionary Housing bill: making shared prosperity a priority in city government
     
     
  3. I-80 toll plan is kicked back -- federal officals refuse approval. eep.
     
     
  4. Editorial | Judge Cappy's Sweet Deal
     
     
  5. Albert: Central Philadelphia Development Corporation Holiday Event (includes some notes from Nutter's appearance)

Lightning round

Here are some highlights from last week. It appears that I'm in a period without time for daily roundups...

• Monday: John Baer | The 'New Vince' tastes suspiciously refreshing
  
  
• Tuesday: Blackwell out; Tasco new Council majority leader
  and also Blackwell drops leadership post
  
  
• Wednesday: Rendell playing tough with insurance -- might some new health plan get put to a vote?!?
  
  
• Thursday: Black Caucus walks out over guns
  
  
• Friday: Opening doors to nonunion workers -- probably just a threat, but a bold one!
  
  
• CityPaper: Vincent's First: Fumo prepares for a fight in the First District.
  related: Clout | A tour of Fumoland: Who's in, who's out?
  
  
• YPP wonders what Nutter is up to in making nice with Brady: Crickets and then Let's make this simple: what is Michael Nutter's agenda for party reform? -- much chatter ensues
  
  
• Albert: three installments of great coverage of the Great Expectations citizens' convention: I (plenary and first issue break-out), II (2nd break-out), III (final break-out and wrap-up)