MAYOR NUTTER TO MAKE PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS

WHO: Mayor Michael A. Nutter
WHAT: Mayor Nutter will make personnel announcements regarding two senior Administration officials.
WHERE: City Hall, Mayor’s Reception Room, Room 202
WHEN: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 2:00 pm TODAY

PHILADELPHIA EXPANDS RECYCLING PROGRAM

Citizens Are Urged to “Pile on More Plastics” by Adding Household Plastics
Labeled #3 through #7 to Their Recycling Set Outs

Philadelphia, August 31, 2010 – Today, Mayor Michael A. Nutter heralded the expansion of the City’s Recycling Program to include all household plastics containers labeled #3 through #7. The Streets Department’s Sanitation Division now collects these household materials as part of its weekly, single stream recycling collection. Residents are able to add these items to the recyclables they set out along with paper, glass, metal, cardboard, #1 and #2 plastics already collected at curbside. The event was held on the 2600 block of S. Chadwick St. in South Philadelphia, the region of the city with the highest recycling diversion rate (the amount of recyclable materials that are diverted away from landfills), 30%.

The addition of #3 through #7 plastics supports Philadelphia’s goal of becoming the “greenest” city in America. For FY ‘10, the City’s diversion rate was 15.7%, meaning that 99,445 tons of waste had been recycled rather than landfilled. That is a 32% increase in recycling rates over FY ‘09. The City’s recycling rates continue to rise. In July 2010 the City diverted 16.8% of its waste or 9,544 tons. This reflects a 12% increase in the recycling rate over the same month last year. Every ton of waste diverted from landfills saves the City approximately $68. The City is also paid $51 per ton for recycling, resulting in a benefit of more than $100 per ton of recycling to the City’s budget.

“Recycling really is green. Not only is it better for the environment, but recycling actually earns the City money,” said Mayor Nutter. “Now that residents can recycle plastics #3 to #7 as well, the benefits to both everyday citizens and the City as a whole will only grow.”

“We are excited to provide another opportunity for Philadelphia to collect and divert even more valuable commodities from our waste streams,” said Streets Commissioner Clarena I. Tolson. “The City continues to save more and now it is even easier for residents to recycle more materials.”

Increasing the amount of materials accepted for recycling is an important step towards achieving the goals established in GreenWorks, the City’s plan to make Philadelphia the most sustainable city in America, of diverting 20% of the City’s waste by 2011 and 25% by 2015. The expansion of the City’s single stream recycling program to include these additional materials will help the City achieve and hopefully exceed those goals.

To learn which items are recyclable and acceptable for City collection, residents can look for the plastic products code, usually on the bottom of the container. Typical #3 through #7 items are listed below:
Rigid plastic containers and juice bottles
Squeezable lotion and sunscreen tubes
Plastic tubs and lids from butter/margarine, yogurt containers, deli trays
Plastic cups, plates and clear to-go containers
Mixed plastic containers usually labeled as “other”

In addition to the household plastics, residents can continue to recycle certain types of metal, glass, mixed paper and cardboard:
Metal: tin and aluminum cans, empty aerosol cans and empty paint cans
Glass: jars and bottles
Certain types of mixed paper: newspaper, magazines, mail (junk and personal), phone books, food boxes (remove plastic liner), computer paper, flyers, wrapping paper (no foil or plastic wrap), soda and beer cartons
Cardboard: empty and flattened

Materials still not accepted for recycling collection include styrofoam products, plastic bags, PVC piping and packing inserts or “peanuts”.

Almost every household plastic and consumer packaging product found on store shelves are now accepted for collection in the City of Philadelphia. Residents can set out more recyclables and earn even more rewards by participating in the Philadelphia Recycling Rewards Program. The program allows residents with City provided recycling collection to earn points that can be redeemed for discounts, full-value gift cards or charitable contributions at hundreds of local and national stores. The full citywide rollout of the Philadelphia Recycling Rewards Program was completed in July and ensures valuable rewards and savings for every Philadelphian with city recycling service.

To learn more about the city’s newest additions to its Recycling Program and to sign-up for Philadelphia Recycling Rewards Program, please visit www.PhillyRecyclingPAYS.com or call the Philadelphia Recycling Rewards Customer Affairs Unit at 1-888-769-7960. For more information on how to recycle, please contact the Streets Department Customer Affairs Unit at 215-686-5560. For all City services, please call 3-1-1.

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR NUTTER ON HUD AUDIT OF PHILADELPHIA HOUSING AUTHORITY

Philadelphia, August 26 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter has released the following statement regarding the announcement from Deputy Secretary Ron Sims, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), that HUD will immediately begin an audit of the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s (PHA) financial and management operations.

“I commend the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for its decisive action in announcing an audit of the Philadelphia Housing Authority,” said Mayor Nutter. “As I outlined yesterday to Board Chairman John F. Street I am deeply concerned by the recent revelations regarding Philadelphia Housing Authority Executive Director Carl Greene and by the Board’s oversight of the organization. I know that many Philadelphians share this concern and deserve answers to the many questions that have been raised. The City of Philadelphia will provide any help and support requested by HUD.”

Mayor Nutter, in an August 25, 2010, letter to John F. Street, Chairman of the Philadelphia Housing Authority Board, called for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to conduct a comprehensive and thorough investigation of PHA activities. Mayor Nutter has also expressed his concerns directly to HUD officials over the last week.

MAYOR NUTTER WELCOMES $129 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT TO LAUNCH ENERGY RESEARCH CENTER IN PHILADELPHIA

Project to be housed at The Navy Yard, led by Penn State University in partnership with Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) and more than 22 Other Partners from the Public and Private Sectors and Academia

Philadelphia, August 24, 2010 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter applauded the US Department of Energy and several other federal agencies’ announcement that they have jointly awarded a $129 million grant to a partnership based in Philadelphia. The grant will support the creation of the Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster for Energy Efficiency Buildings (GPIC). Housed at The Navy Yard, GPIC will:
Further interdisciplinary research into building energy efficiency technologies
Support the commercialization of new energy efficiency technologies to generate new jobs and economic activity
Develop new approaches to training and career development in the energy efficiency field
Craft new public policy approaches to reducing energy use

“This investment confirms that Philadelphia is emerging as a national hub for the research and development that are the heart of the green economy,” said Mayor Nutter. “Just as investments in our medical research and teaching institutions at the turn of the last century created the city’s largest industry of today, this project has the potential to position the City for truly lasting and broad based job creation. I’d especially like to thank Penn State, PIDC and the other GPIC partners for the extraordinary work on this project.”

The City of Philadelphia, through PIDC, will serve as an implementing partner for GPIC, carrying out a range of functions including the renovation of the historic Building 661 to house the GPIC’s Hub and will put The Navy Yard’s self-contained power grid to work as a test bed for new technologies. As the City’s economic development arm, PIDC will also work with Ben Franklin Technology Partners and others to commercialize GPIC developed technologies and turn them into well paid jobs, profitable companies, and a new economic base for the City.

This award represents the latest in a series of major investments that support Mayor Nutter’s Greenworks Plan to make Philadelphia the nation’s most sustainable city by 2015. In the spring, the City and its partners in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties won $25 million to support innovation in energy efficiency financing and in the fall PECO won over $200 million to blanket the region in a “smart grid.”

It is also the latest in a series of events that highlight the growing prominence of The Navy Yard’s Clean Energy Campus and business park. Last year, the Department of Energy awarded Penn State and other Navy Yard partners multiple grants to develop new solar training and energy efficiency programs at The Navy Yard. And Exelon-Conergy will break ground this fall on what will be the second largest urban solar array in the nation, also to be located at The Navy Yard.

For more detailed information on the GPIC program and its partners, please see attached document.

Nuisance Task Force Member Charged with Extortion

An L&I Inspector assigned to the Nuisance Task Force, operating out of the Philadelphia Police Department, was charged with extortion today in connection with his attempts to force a property owner to sell a property to him, announced Philadelphia Inspector General Amy L. Kurland, U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger and FBI Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Jayne Challman.

The federal indictment alleges that Kenneth Gassman, an inspector with the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspection, abused his position as an inspector to try to force a property owner to sell his property to Gassman. According to the indictment, after the owner turned down Gassman’s offers to buy the property. Gassman began a course of conduct designed to make it impossible for the property owner to sell his property to anyone other than Gassman. Gassman caused other inspectors to issue false violations on the property, gave false information to other inspectors to justify violations, called bogus complaints about the property into the City’s 311 hotline, and vandalized the property. The indictment alleges that Gassman owned a significant number of properties on E. Thompson Street in Philadelphia, and abused his power to try to acquire this property, which was located between two of Gassman’s other properties.

If convicted of the charge Gassman could each face up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and full restitution to the property owner.

Kurland said this indictment should send a message that City employees must uphold the public trust at all times in their official duties.

The indictment is the result of an investigation initiated by the Philadelphia Office of Inspector General and conducted jointly with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Mayor Nutter Announces Desiree Peterkin Bell As Director Of Communications And Strategic Partnerships

August 26, 2010 – Today, Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced that Desiree Peterkin Bell has been appointed as Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships for the Mayor’s Office. In her position, Ms. Bell will be responsible for the long term planning and oversight of the Mayor’s communications strategy and will work closely with the Mayor and top Administration officials as a senior advisor.

“I am thrilled to welcome Desiree to this Administration,” said Mayor Nutter. “She brings with her a wealth of knowledge from all levels of government and has proven talents communicating innovatively, effectively and directly to citizens. She will play an integral and strategic role in my Administration, and she is an ideal candidate to lead our communication office.”

“I am excited about joining Mayor Nutter and his Administration to serve the citizens of Philadelphia. I look forward to working together with constituents inside and outside of City Hall to ensure that strategic partnerships and effective communications are assets for, and deliver value to, what I believe is one of America’s greatest cities,” said Ms. Bell.

Ms. Bell had served as Director of Communications for Mayor Corey A. Booker in Newark, NJ. In her capacity, she created and managed a multi-pronged communications strategy including citizen outreach campaigns, new media and the launch of Newark’s first municipal television studio.

“During her time with us, Desiree restructured the City’s Public Information Office to be more responsive, effective and innovative,” said Mayor Booker. “Her creativity and commitment to redefine how municipal government communicates to better inform residents has been invaluable. I wish her all the best as she continues her public service career in the Nutter Administration. Desiree leaves us with a tremendous legacy of achievement. I thank her for her service, commitment and counsel. She was a significant member of my team and will be missed.”

Before joining Mayor Booker’s office, she worked as Senior Director and Vice President of Government Affairs at the New York City Marketing Development Corporation. She was also the Supervising Legislative Representative for the City of New York under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Ms. Bell’s appointment is effective Monday, September 20, 2010. Her salary will be $150,000, which is subject to a five percent salary reduction.

Mayor Nutter Welcomes $129 Million Federal Grant To Launch Energy Research Center In Philadelphia

Project to be housed at The Navy Yard, led by Penn State University in partnership with Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) and more than 22 Other Partners from the Public and Private Sectors and Academia

August 24, 2010 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter applauded the US Department of Energy and several other federal agencies’ announcement that they have jointly awarded a $129 million grant to a partnership based in Philadelphia. The grant will support the creation of the Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster for Energy Efficiency Buildings (GPIC). Housed at The Navy Yard, GPIC will:

• Further interdisciplinary research into building energy efficiency technologies
• Support the commercialization of new energy efficiency technologies to generate new jobs and economic activity
• Develop new approaches to training and career development in the energy efficiency field
• Craft new public policy approaches to reducing energy use

“This investment confirms that Philadelphia is emerging as a national hub for the research and development that are the heart of the green economy,” said Mayor Nutter. “Just as investments in our medical research and teaching institutions at the turn of the last century created the city’s largest industry of today, this project has the potential to position the City for truly lasting and broad based job creation. I’d especially like to thank Penn State, PIDC and the other GPIC partners for the extraordinary work on this project.”

The City of Philadelphia, through PIDC, will serve as an implementing partner for GPIC, carrying out a range of functions including the renovation of the historic Building 661 to house the GPIC’s Hub and will put The Navy Yard’s self-contained power grid to work as a test bed for new technologies. As the City’s economic development arm, PIDC will also work with Ben Franklin Technology Partners and others to commercialize GPIC developed technologies and turn them into well paid jobs, profitable companies, and a new economic base for the City.

This award represents the latest in a series of major investments that support Mayor Nutter’s Greenworks Plan to make Philadelphia the nation’s most sustainable city by 2015. In the spring, the City and its partners in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties won $25 million to support innovation in energy efficiency financing and in the fall PECO won over $200 million to blanket the region in a “smart grid.”

It is also the latest in a series of events that highlight the growing prominence of The Navy Yard’s Clean Energy Campus and business park. Last year, the Department of Energy awarded Penn State and other Navy Yard partners multiple grants to develop new solar training and energy efficiency programs at The Navy Yard. And Exelon-Conergy will break ground this fall on what will be the second largest urban solar array in the nation, also to be located at The Navy Yard.

For more detailed information on the GPIC program and its partners, please see attached document.

Municipal and Non-Municipal Ambulances Achieve Interoperable Communications

Who: Mayor Michael A. Nutter
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Everett A.Gillison, Esq.
Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers
Philadelphia Regional Emergency Medical Services Chief George A. Butts, Jr.
Acting Deputy Managing Director for Emergency Management Liam O’Keefe
Burholme Emergency Medical Service/Philadelphia Media 96 Managing Director Timothy C. Hinchcliff

What: Municipal and Non-Municipal Ambulances Achieve Interoperable Communications

When: August 25, 11:00 a.m.

Where: Fire Administration Building, 240 Spring Garden Street

Officials will announce a new milestone in achieving interoperable communications between the City’s municipal and non-municipal ambulances.

Mayor Nutter will conduct a test of the new communications system immediately following the announcement.

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR NUTTER

Philadelphia, August 17 – Following the verdict of a Common Pleas jury earlier today sentencing the two defendants to life in prison without parole in the first degree murder of Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, Mayor Michael A. Nutter issued the following statement:

“While there is no sentence that could possibly bring back Sgt. Steve Liczbinski or erase the pain of his death, I hope that today brings some measure of closure for Michelle, Matt, Stephen and Amber. We keep them in our prayers, and they know that they are part of the bigger family of the Philadelphia Police Department and the City of Philadelphia. Steve is one of our heroes, and we will honor his memory by watching over his family.

I appreciate the jury’s commitment and dedication during their deliberations over these past weeks. Their initial verdict ensures that these killers will never again be a menace to Philadelphians, and that our city is safer with them behind bars for as long as they live.”

SEPTA Alerts Available through ReadyNotifyPA

Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management and
SEPTA Join Forces for Public Notification Alerts

Philadelphia, PA ~ Deputy Managing Director for Emergency Management MaryAnn E. Tierney and SEPTA General Manager Joseph M. Casey announced today that SEPTA alerts are now offered through ReadyNotifyPA, the City of Philadelphia’s emergency text and e-mail alert system. The new alerts will provide SEPTA riders with another avenue to receive real-time information on delays and service interruptions.

SEPTA General Manager Casey explained that riders can select any or all of the SEPTA alerts available through ReadyNotifyPA – the Broad Street Line, Market-Frankford Line, Norristown High Speed Line, Regional Rail, Trolley and Bus routes. Riders who sign up for SEPTA alerts can choose to receive the alerts 24-hours a day or weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

To sign up for SEPTA alerts on your cell phone, Blackberry, iPhone, other mobile devices, or through e-mail, simply visit SEPTA’s website at www.septa.org or the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management’s website at www.phila.gov/ready. Click on the ReadyNotifyPA logo. Select “Click Here to Register” and follow the online instructions.

“We are thrilled to be part of ReadyNotifyPA,” said Mr. Casey. “It provides SEPTA with another avenue to communicate with our customers and provide them with real-time transit alerts.”

From its Control Center, SEPTA currently sends out travel alerts and transit delays through its Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/septa and through its website at www.septa.org. In an effort to reach more riders and further the goal of creating a one-stop-shop for emergency-related alerts and notifications, SEPTA — which serves nearly one million customers a day — and the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management have joined forces to offer SEPTA alerts to riders in Southeastern Pennsylvania through ReadyNotifyPA.

“ReadyNotifyPA has proven to be a valuable public notification tool for people who live, work and visit Philadelphia,” said Mrs. Tierney. “Since we first launched ReadyNotifyPA in 2008, the type of alerts offered continues to grow. Providing SEPTA alerts is a great service to the public, whether it’s during emergency or non-emergency situations.”

ReadyNotifyPA is one of several tools that the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) uses to provide important information to the public. In addition, people should also tune to local TV and radio for important information, updates and instructions in the event of an emergency.

Or, they can follow OEM on its social media networking sites – Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and Blogger – available through OEM’s website at www.phila.gov/ready.

Mrs. Tierney reminds residents that it is important to prepare now for any kind of any emergency by developing a family emergency plan. The plan should include knowing how to shelter in place, knowing what to do if you need to evacuate, putting together an emergency supply kit, developing a family communication plan to keep in touch with loved ones during an emergency, and knowing how to stay informed during an emergency. For more information about how to prepare for emergencies and
ReadyNotifyPA, visit the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management’s website at
www.phila.gov/ready.

Powered by Cooper Notification’s Roam Secure Alert Network™ (RSAN™), alerts sent through ReadyNotifyPA are free for subscribers. Wireless carrier providers, however, may apply standard text messaging rates. Subscribers will be able to register an unlimited number of devices and accounts to receive messages from ReadyNotifyPA.