Twitter Press Conference to End National Preparedness Month, September 2009

On Wednesday, September 30, at 2 p.m., the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management will hold a Twitter press conference with Wally Wise Guy, the Shelter-in-Place Turtle, to mark the end of National Preparedness Month 2009 in the City of Philadelphia.

Sign on to http://twitter.com/philaoem to participate and ask any questions you may have about Philadelphia’s National Preparedness Month activities or emergency preparedness in general.

Philadelphia’s National Preparedness Month activities may be winding down for September; however, preparedness is ongoing as emergencies can happen any time. Check out future Emergency Preparedness Workshops and activities by visiting the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management’s website at www.phila.gov/ready or call 3-1-1.

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSES AND INSPECTIONS LAUNCHES WORK WITH COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY PROBLEM STRUCTURES

Philadelphia, September 24, 2009 – Today L&I Commissioner Frances Burns launched the Department’s a collaborative system of programmed inspections, a more proactive and holistic approach to conducting inspections. While still responding to the service requests received from the 311 system, the Department will begin performing planned and periodic inspections in communities throughout the City. In some instances, such as today’s event in Carroll Park, the Department will partner with community groups to conduct full block surveys of different neighborhoods. L&I will inspect, reinspect, and then perform then take the appropriate action.

“Programmatic neighborhood inspections allow L&I to have a more immediate and complete impact on the character of communities,” said Commissioner Burns. “Instead of solely waiting for complaints to come to us, L&I will begin working with neighborhoods proactively to identify problem structures.”

In the Carroll Park area of the City, Commissioner Burns attended a community meeting in which the group reached out to her to ask her to help rehabilitate their neighborhood. L&I then sent a collaborative team of building, housing, and fire inspectors out to the Carroll Park area. The building inspectors inspected for structural damage, while the housing and fire inspectors inspected for property maintenance issues. The data was collected in a centralized area and the appropriate violation notices were issued.

In total approximately 2,300 properties over a 45 block radius in the Carroll Park area were inspected. 240 violations for property maintenance were issued. 42 properties were found to be vacant and open and three properties are slated for demolition. Demolitions and “clean and seals” will commence immediately.

CITY EMPLOYEE PLEADS GUILTY TO THEFT OF FEDERAL FUNDS AND WITNESS TAMPERING

Philadelphia, September 24, 2009 – City of Philadelphia Inspector General, Amy L. Kurland, United States Attorney Michael L. Levy and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge, Janice Fedarcyk announced that former City employee Brenda Wilkins pled guilty to violations of 18 U.S.C. § 666(a) (Theft of Federal Program Funds) and 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(1) (Witness Tampering).

Wilkins abused her position as a Real Estate Specialist for the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) by stealing a City-owned property. OIG and FBI investigators determined that PHDC paid $23,000 to purchase a property located at 5437 Marsden Street, in Philadelphia, PA., paid for additional renovations and then listed the property for sale to eligible home buyers at the purchase price of $40,000.

Wilkins had access to PHDC vacant properties through her City job. She gave her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend a list of those properties and allowed them to choose a house for themselves. They chose 5437 Marsden Street and lived there at no expense until July 2005, when Wilkins falsified documents so the house could be be sold to them for only $1.00.

Inspector General Kurland credited the success of this investigation to the diligent work of the OIG and FBI investigators who are dedicated to rooting out corruption and fraud in the City of

“Wilkins’s crime is especially egregious because PHDC’s mission is to provide housing to Philadelphia’s low- and moderate-income households,” said Inspector General Kurland. “In addition to the fraud on the public, honest, hardworking City employees are tainted by the perception that City employees are corrupt.”

Wilkins faces a maximum sentence of 45 years imprisonment, $500,000 in fines and $52,721 in restitution to the City of Philadelphia. Additionally, the OIG will take steps with the Board of Pensions to forfeit Wilkins City pension.

MAYOR NUTTER OPENS CROSSTOWN BIKE LANES, BIKES TO WORK AT CITY HALL

Philadelphia, September 23 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter cut a green ribbon today officially opening two cross-town bike lanes in Center City, before using the Pine Street lane to bike to City Hall.

“Whether you ride to work, ride for fun, or ride for exercise, these new bike lanes are a great addition to our city streets,” said Mayor Nutter. “The opening of these bike lanes is a clear demonstration of our commitment to ensuring that the streets of Philadelphia are open, accessible, and available for all travelers. Whether you drive, ride, walk or use public transport you will be able to make your way around this great, green city of ours.”

Mayor Nutter noted that though Philadelphia has more than 200 miles of bike lanes, few are in Center City. The lanes run eastbound on Pine Street for two miles from 22nd Street to Front Street and westbound on Spruce Street for two miles from 2nd Street to 22nd Street, as a pilot program to determine the feasibility of dedicated bike lanes in Center City.

“For the first time Center City has a river to river connection for bikes. These lanes are a great option for commuting and recreation,” said Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Utilities, Rina Cutler. Cutler believes that for the lanes to work, bikers and drivers need to show respect and consideration to each other and pedestrians. “When drivers, bikers and pedestrians follow the rules of road everyone gets to their destination faster and safer.” Cutler reminded cyclists to stop at red lights, ride with traffic (not against it) and stay in the bike lane. She added that, “drivers should expect police enforcement of the bike lanes – bike lanes are not passing lanes for cars.”

Dr. Donald Schwarz, Deputy Mayor for Health & Opportunity and Health Commissioner noted the public health benefits of adding bike lanes, “Healthy neighborhoods include healthy options for getting around. Bike lanes like these make it easier to have an active lifestyle, which can address some of our biggest health challenges including obesity, diabetes, depression and heart disease.”

The City will take before and after car and bicycle counts, evaluate the queue lengths at the Broad Street intersections, and accept community feedback. In November, the City will report initial findings to the community. If the lanes are determined to be a success, permanent marking will be made in the Spring, when portions of Pine Street and Spruce Street are repaved.

Philadelphia Bicycle Facts:
Philadelphia has over 200 miles of streets with bicycle lanes, 50 miles of bike trails, provided over 4,000 bicycle parking spaces and since 2005 has decreased the number bike accidents resulting in injuries by 14 percent. In May, Philadelphia received the League of American Bicyclists prestigious Bicycle Friendly Community Award at the Bronze Level. In June, Mayor Nutter signed an executive order instituting a Complete Streets policy for the City. The policy applies in the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of all city streets. We are giving full consideration to the safety and convenience of all users of the transportation system, be they pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit users or motor vehicle driver.

MAYOR NUTTER TO OFFICIALLY OPEN NEW PHILADELPHIA BIKE LANES

WHO: Mayor Michael A. Nutter
Rina Cutler, Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Public Utilities
Don Schwarz, Deputy Mayor for Health and Opportunity
Other members of the Administration and bicycling community

WHAT: Mayor Michael A. Nutter will cut a green ribbon officially opening the two cross-town bike lanes on Spruce Street and Pine Street in Center City, before using the Pine Street lane to bike to work in City Hall.

WHERE: 21st and Pine, Philadelphia

WHEN: Wednesday September 23, 2009 7:30 am

Preparing Makes Sense. Get Ready Now Attend an Emergency Preparedness Workshop!

If you had to stay in your home for a few days, would you have what you need to stay safe? If you had to leave your home suddenly, without time to pack, would you be ready?

September is National Preparedness Month and the City of Philadelphia Managing Director’s Office of Emergency Management (MDO-OEM) offers the following free Emergency Preparedness Workshop for the public:

Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6:00 p.m.
24th and 25th Police Districts, 3901 Whitaker Avenue (Rain date: Oct. 20)

“During the workshop you will learn how to Shelter in Place, become familiar with your neighborhood evacuation routes, know what emergency supplies and copies of important documents you should have ready, and find out how to stay informed during an emergency,” said Deputy Managing Director for Emergency Management MaryAnn E. Tierney.

Join us at this workshop for presentations by the America Red Cross, the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

For information about a workshop or other events during National Preparedness Month, visit the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management website at www.phila.gov/ready or call 3-1-1.

National Preparedness Month Volunteer Sign Up Day It Starts with You. Become a Volunteer!

In support of National Preparedness Month, the City of Philadelphia Managing Director’s Office of Emergency Management (MDO-OEM) is hosting a Volunteer Sign Up Day and asks all citizens to take simple steps to be prepared for emergencies, get training in basic first aid, and volunteer to help local emergency responders.

Volunteer Sign-Up Day
Wednesday, September 23, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Rotunda at the Shops at Liberty Place
16th and Chestnut Streets

Stop by for information or to volunteer for one of the following agencies that assist Philadelphia’s first responders:

American Red Cross, Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter
Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society
Philadelphia Fire Department
Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps.
The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia
Second Alarmers Association of Philadelphia
Town Watch Integrated Services

Attendees will also be able to sign up for ReadyNotifyPA Emergency Text Alerts

For information about other events during National Preparedness Month, visit www.phila.gov/ready or call 3-1-1.

MAYOR NUTTER TO PHILADELPHIANS: PLAN C STOPS NOW

Harrisburg, September 17 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter has instructed the command staff of the city government to halt the implementation of Plan C following the Pennsylvania Senate’s approval of House Bill 1828. This afternoon the Pennsylvania Senate voted 32-17 to concur with House Bill 1828, sending the legislation to Governor Rendell for his signature.

“This is a great win for the citizens of Philadelphia,” said Mayor Nutter from Harrisburg. “I am so proud of how we have weathered this storm as a city, with a typical fighting Philly spirit. Just think of what we can achieve together when we turn that resilience, that determination, that teamwork towards the tremendous opportunities and endless possibilities that lie ahead.”

Immediately following the vote in the Senate Mayor Nutter gathered together his Executive Team in Philadelphia to deliver the message by phone from Harrisburg – the implementation of Plan C stops now.

The City will not issue nearly 3,000 layoff notices; services at libraries, rec centers, and health centers will not suffer the planned reductions; all City Departments will remain operational – all of the devastating consequences of Plan C will be avoided.

Mayor Nutter also sent a special message of thanks to all City employees.

“It was the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our public employees that helped ensure this success and I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank them for what they do every day,” said Mayor Nutter. “This has been a tough year. The worldwide economic crisis hit us hard. But we rolled up our sleeves and met the crisis head on. Thank you and well done.”

Mayor Nutter also thanked lawmakers, especially the Senate and House leadership and the Philadelphia Harrisburg delegation, all staff who worked on the legislation, City Council, and municipal unions and business community of Southeastern Pennsylvania who worked so hard to ensure passage of this legislation.

“To lawmakers in Harrisburg, you listened, you allowed us to make our case, and today you have come through for our public employees and for the City of Philadelphia,” said Mayor Nutter. “I want to thank your kindness, your dedication, and your commitment to public service.”

PHILADELPHIA COMMEMORATES 9/11 WITH PHILLYSERVES DAY OF SERVICE

City Holds Volunteer Fair in City Hall Courtyard and Distributes Children’s Books
to Area Families

Philadelphia, September 11, 2009 – Today the City of Philadelphia, in coordination with Greater Philadelphia Cares, Global Citizen/MLK 365, SEPTA, City Year, AARP, and 87 other nonprofit organizations, launched PhillyServes, a day of service to mark September 11th, with a volunteer fair in the City Hall courtyard and a children’s book giveaway at SEPTA stops. This effort is part of the first September 11 National Day of Remembrance and Service begun by President Barack Obama to honor the victims of 9/11 by encouraging Americans and others throughout the world to pledge to voluntarily perform a service activity on 9/11 each year.

“September 11th was a tragic day for America but those who perished are best remembered through service – not tears,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “I am pleased that the PhillyServes volunteer fair can help Philadelphians become more involved in their community. In this economy, more than ever, community service is a vital civic force.”

PhillyServes Day was comprised of two activities. 87 organizations were on hand at a volunteer fair in the City Hall courtyard to offer information to citizens and City employees who wanted to learn about and sign up for hundreds of ongoing volunteer opportunities around the City. Volunteers from Greater Philadelphia Cares, SEPTA, AARP and City Year giveaway children’s books at SEPTA stops across the City in an effort to promote reading and boost child literacy. PhillyServes was made possible through the generous contributions of First Book, American Reading Company, and Townsend Press who donated books and GlaxoSmithKline Foundation, Conant Corporation who gave additional support.

The effort to have 9/11 be recognized as a day of service was led by the 9/11 nonprofit MyGoodDeed and the families of the victims families. The day was officially declared a National Day of Service and Remembrance in April 2009 when President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. Since that time, unprecedented coalition of organizations that have come together to engage not only Americans, but people from around the world.

Preparing Makes Sense. Get Ready Now

If you had to stay in your home for a few days, would you have what you need to stay safe? If you had to leave your home suddenly, without time to pack, would you be ready?

September is National Preparedness Month and the City of Philadelphia Managing Director’s Office of Emergency Management (MDO-OEM) offers the following free Emergency Preparedness Workshops for the public:

Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7:00 p.m.
The Eye Institute, Amphitheater, 1200 W. Godfrey Avenue (Rain date: Oct. 8)

Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 7:00 p.m.
John Perzel Community Center, 2990 St. Vincent Street (Rain date: Oct. 14)

Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 7:00 p.m.
6th Police District, 235 N. 11th St. (Rain date: Oct: 20)

Thursday, Sept. 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6500 Tabor Road (Rain date: Oct. 21)

Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6:00 p.m.
24th and 25th Police Districts, 3901 Whitaker Avenue (Rain date: Oct. 20)

“During the workshop you will learn how to Shelter in Place, become familiar with your neighborhood evacuation routes, know what emergency supplies and copies of important documents you should have ready, and find out how to stay informed during an emergency,” said Deputy Managing Director for Emergency Management MaryAnn E. Tierney.

Join us at one of these workshops for presentations by the America Red Cross, the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

For information about a workshop or other events during National Preparedness Month, visit the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management website at www.phila.gov/ready or call 3-1-1.