Aye. The ayes are 16. The nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, this bill passes. That concludes our calendar for today. Stated - 4/28/05 Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Are there speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I'm sure as most members of this body and citizens in our City and people who read the various newspapers probably had the same reaction that I had this morning when I read both of the papers and saw the continued cycle of violence in our City over the past few days. But what was really stunning... And it's articulated in both of the headlines of the two daily papers... And I'm looking at one of the papers now... The front page story says, "Kid Shot; Dad Flees." Clearly there's an error in the headline because no real dad would take such an action. Stated - 4/28/05 And whether it's by relationship or biological connection or any of our respective membership in humanity, how a person... because I can't refer to this individual as a dad or even as a man... how a person could witness a child being shot, run over and see what happens, make an explanation, and run away is incredible. And for the person who did the shooting... Because that person would not be a man either. But to try to shoot someone while they're with their child between the two individuals, there's really only one word to describe them: Cowards, to engage in such activity. "Kid shot; Dad Flees." Now, I would say that Councilman Mariano is a dad. I'd say that Councilman Cohen is a dad. I'd say that Councilman Kenny is a dad or Councilman Ramos or DiCicco or Councilman O'Neill or Councilman Clarke or Councilman Kelly. They're dads. No real father or anyone connected with a child would engage in such behavior as reported in the papers today. Stated - 4/28/05 This cycle of violence, creating a continued climate of fear in Philadelphia, that children find themselves the victims, virtually can not go to school in the morning or leave in the afternoon without risking their lives is unacceptable. We've talked about this before. Unfortunately, we'll probably keep talking about it. I would only ask, Madam President, for our own behalves, as elected officials, as our constituents continue to ask us and plead with us to do something, and as we struggle to find some answers, I would only ask if you in your capacity as President would reach out to both the Mayor and the Police Commissioner and seek to have a briefing for us as elected officials and representatives of the people, so we can get a better understanding of what steps are being taken to ensure that our citizens are safe, and any extra efforts being made to try to prevent violence in Philadelphia. And whether it's seven-year-olds or Stated - 4/28/05 77-year-olds, we've got to figure out a different way. There are many steps, there are many components, there are many members of this body, as we've talked about this before. There are six, seven, eight, maybe nine pieces of legislation. And that is certainly one component of the strategy. And we need some assistance to be able to make some of those things happen. But here in this day and time, and as we seek to do our legislative business, I'm only suggesting that if there are other things that we can do, that are within our power to do, that we don't need to ask assistance or permission or approval from somewhere else, let us try to figure those things out and speak in a united voice, all 18 of us, as representatives of the people, to let them know what specific actions we are prepared to take. And I would only ask that you follow up on that, as I know you will, and I appreciate this time to speak on this issue. Stated - 4/28/05 Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Thank you. I'm going to... I think what Councilman Nutter has just referred to is so important that I'm going to withhold my comments today for next week, because I think we've got to give deep consideration to every aspect of what Councilman Nutter said. For us at this point to be worried about the physical safety of the children as they go to school represents the number one problem that this City must have. And we've all got to concentrate on ending this period of wild recklessness and violence. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Stated - 4/28/05 Madam President. Are there other voices to be heard on this matter?
Okay. I just want to say I support what Councilman Nutter has said, and because the shooting occurred in my district, which is known as, the area, very nice, quiet neighborhood. But we know that violence can happen anywhere. And we pray for the young boy who was shot. So, I thank you, Councilman Nutter, for those comments. I do want to make an announcement because of the timing of it, and not to take away the seriousness of what we just talked about. On the 29th... I'm sorry. Okay. Let me just get this straight. Tomorrow, the 29th, from 1:00 to 3:00, in Room 112-A and B of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, some of our state representatives will hold a panel hearing on predatory personal loans. Stated - 4/28/05 It's being conducted by the Democratic Policy Committee and State Representatives Thomas Blackwell, Yolanda McGill from the Center for Responsible Lending, Irv Acklesberg, and George Butts, Program Director Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now Housing, will hold this panel hearing tomorrow at the Convention Center. And that's for those people who are listening, and also my colleagues who might be interested in attending. And we thank them for bringing that panel to Philadelphia.
Wonderful. Thank you very much. Are there any other speeches on the part of the majority? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion to adjourn.
Madam Chair, I move that the Council stand adjourned until Stated - 4/28/05 Thursday, May 5th at 10:00 a.m., 2005. UNIDENTIFIED COUNCIL PERSON: Second.
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, May 5th, at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will say aye. (Chorus of "ayes.")
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. Thank you. (Hearing concluded at 11:40 a.m.) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings and evidence are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the public hearing of The Philadelphia City Council, taken on April 28, 2005, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. _____________________________ DAVID A. DEIK, RPR and Commissioner of Deeds (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)