If you are for our children, if you say you're for our children, then this resolution needs to be passed. They are our future and they need our help. My child, I never seen my child for six years. I don't even know if Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 she's alive or dead because of DHS. (Applause.)
But I'll reassure you this: We have so many people fighting on our behalf, so if you are against this resolution, I want to ask you this: Will your children be taken by DHS? Will you cry over your grandchildren because they were taken? This is why I'm saying bring legislation to pass -- do not oppose this. Okay? Thank you. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.)
Hi. I'm talking about Resolution 190779. My name is Cortez Johnson and I'm a tenth grader at SLA. I have no school today because my school has asbestos. I'm worried and stressed more about not being able to see my sister. Next week is her birthday and I probably won't get to see her. You see, the social worker last week changed my visit to Friday at 3:30. I get out of Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 school at 3:05, which is at Broad and Spring Garden. I have to travel to 50th and Parkside. We usually go Wednesdays at 3:30, which is good because I get out of school at 1:00 p.m. The social worker will not give us a consistent schedule. I have done nothing wrong. Why can't my sister live with me? I can count how many times I have seen my sister since DHS took her. Seven times in three years, only for one hour. I live with my aunt and we have space. I should not have to go to some place twice a month to see her. There is no special committee to address child separation. Can you help the children and vote yes for Resolution 190779? I have no vote; just a voice. Thank you. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.)
Should I say the Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 number first? 191779 [sic]. So the reason that I'm here is for the bill that I am here is to speak about the family separation inside Protective Service. Keeping families can hurt, and it's very important to me. And also hurt the community too. So let me get to the bottom of this. So hi. By the way, my name is Adelaida Morales. I have two kids attending ASPIRA John B. Stetson Charter School and one that is now attending Olney Charter School. The school not only had helped my kids' education, but it has created leaders in our community. Students are different in all aspects. Some needs more attention than others. What's offered at Olney is more than any other school had offered to my children and the community, beginning with the staff. These people love their children. They are more than just teachers. They're mentors, they're friends, family. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 We have a community center, clothing. We offer washer, dryers, (unintelligible), household items, care, access to computer, (unintelligible) uniform. All you hear is people talking about PSSA tests and what about our children's failing. Yes, they did test, and some of the children come from Elkin and Crown, reading and writing in kindergarten, first grade level, and we hold them accountable for it. ASPIRA John B. Stetson Charter School has not only helped my children, but also helped me. I was always shy and will only imagine talking in front of anyone like I'm doing now. John B. Stetson Charter School staff has empowered me by providing me with many other and parents training, parenting classes, cooking, training, family, comfort and so many. So I'm going to skip to the last. I always say if you don't walk the Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 shoes, you don't have the right to talk. At ASPIRA, I'm involved. I know it's working. Why try to fix something that is already fixed? John B. Stetson High offered the community center in a school in North Philadelphia. We're the only one that has a full bank. (Applause.)
Thank you. Mr. Decker, would you please read the names of our next three speakers, please. Our next three speakers.
Miltreda Kress, followed by April McBride, followed by Nasir Cabress. Please approach the podium. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Council. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to speak. My name is Miltreda Kress. I'm speaking on behalf of Resolution No. 190779. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 I've sat here -- I've stood here several times telling you my story. I'm not here for that today. Today I'm going to read a post comment that came from a social worker that works for one of the CUAs. As a supervisor and teaming at one of the CUAs, I can tell you that we have sometimes, not always, seen very sloppy work. Social workers are not always following policy and procedure. In addition to that, I have seen what I feel to be civil rights violations on part of child advocates and the courts. They want to address this as a case-by-case basis, but the issues are systematic. Overall, DHS workers work very hard -- DHS workers work very hard to appropriately serve the families of Philadelphia. However, we do ourselves no favor in not being open to constructive criticism. I ask you today to please, Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 please pass this resolution. We are not asking that you shut DHS down. We understand that their job is very important, that children do need protection, but what we are asking is that you review DHS to ensure that they are following state and federal laws, because I can assure you they are currently not following state laws. Our children mean the world to us. What would you do, what would you do if you were in our shoes? Would you fight for your children or would you roll over and just let them push you around and push gag order on you and shut you up? Our children mean the world to us, and we will do everything to get our children back. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.) MS. McBRIDE: Good morning. I would like to speak to you on Resolution No. 190779 in regards of establishing a Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Special Committee on Child Separation in Philadelphia to investigate child separation in Philadelphia's child welfare system.
Can you state your name for the record, please. MS. McBRIDE: My name is April McBride. Child separation and family alienation of any sort will always have a negative outcome, reason being is that each and every child individual have been given to their families by God and which a bond has been made for that child even before it leaves the mother's womb. That mother and family is the only personal people that the child is familiar with from birth, and that's their security blanket. When the child is ripped away from what he/she considers their security blanket, it become traumatizing, mental confusion, and anxiety sets in. This alone is abusive, and it becomes a part Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 of an unforgettable history for them. With implementing Resolution 190779, there will be a major decrease on illegal child separation, foster care abuse rates and murders, because finally the individuals that are responsible will have to answer and be held accountable for their gross actions from the top to the bottom. As I sat in the DHS Oversight Board meeting this past August, I was very disturbed about the amount of funding that's distributed throughout DHS child welfare system that goes towards keeping children in foster care instead of appropriating those funds to help the families stay together as a unit. DHS fiscal budget for 2019-2020 is proposing a budget of 386.2 million in state funding and 150.1 million in federal funding. In order to continue to request these funds and keep the funds coming, DHS -- actually there is a quota for them to meet. That quota can only be Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 met by removing children from their families, and this has been executed by very evil, undermining, unfair practices of the so-called Child Protective Services. (Applause.) MS. McBRIDE: DHS caseworkers are the worst, purposely breaking this law and the ones guilty and need to be accountable and be shown that our children are not for sale to the highest bidder or biggest bonus checks or retaliation for parents standing up against DHS. My daughter, my daughter, I gave her a poster board and a marker. I asked her -- I told her, I said, draw a picture. She didn't draw a picture. She wrote me this letter. Dear mom, I missed you while I was in foster care and didn't like those mean foster parents. They are mean and said some mean things about you. I felt bad, so I said something in my head, and that wasn't nice at all. I Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 love you. This came from my daughter, the one they took unproperly. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. My name is Nasir Cabress and I want to speak on the resolution of 190779, the separation of the children from their families. When I heard of DHS, I thought they were people who helped children in abusive households. Little did I know, no, they weren't. And some of the social workers are so poisonous, they'll do anything to get a check in their hands. A lady by the name of Santa Pray (ph) made our lives a living hell and broke my family up with her nefarious lies. She made my mom look like an abusive parent when I knew the truth about my mother. My momma always do her best as Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 a single parent, making sure everything is great for our children, for making sure we eat, to have clothes, and having a warm, nice home to live in. However, when all of this began, I told the lady that, but she recited my word and said that my mother beat me. That shows that she just wanted to have something on her reports, but it was all lies. She even went as far as telling people that my mom refused to open the door when she had come to talk to us, which is a lie as well because she only came in there once. I thought the conversation was going to be about my mother, but, nope. It was questions like, how do you like the school, what do you want to do in life. This all happened around the holiday season that was 2018, which made the whole thing so depressing. My mom spent thousands of dollars for a lawyer for this oppression. We had many plans too, but they were Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 ruined. Not being able to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas with my sister broke my heart, and just seeing the presents sit there in the corner was dispiriting. The only time I would see my sister was at the center. I couldn't stand walking in there. It hurt me so bad. My sister literally had to open her Christmas presents and get them at the center and not under a tree. It tore my spirit apart. Then to watch my mom have to have a fake smile to stay strong for us through all of this broke me even more. She tried to stay strong for her children, but eventually that came to an end because it started getting depressing. So at the beginning, my sister -- so whatever is done in the dark come out in the light. My sister started to run away at the beginning from her so-called foster parents several times, Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 trying to find -- saying that she misses us. So they move her farther away, almost like 45 minutes away so she wouldn't be familiar with her surroundings. The acts of DHS is unfair, unfounded, inappropriate. Now this is part of our family's history and we'll never forget. Vote yes, but before I walk away, my question to you, Mayor and the City Councilmembers, how would you feel if you felt my pain I had to go through and what if a child or a loved one had to go through this? Thank you for your time. (Applause.)
Thank you. Mr. Decker, would you please read the names of our next three speakers, please.
Yolanda Bryant, followed by Bridget Powell, followed by Vanessa Leary. Please approach the podium. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is Yolanda Bryant. I'm here on Resolution 190779. I want to thank David Oh and Cindy Bass for believing in the families and doing this. (Applause.)
I also want to know why Helen Gym and Cherelle Parker isn't here right now while we doing this resolution. First, I want to say this resolution is not about nothing else but the children, who are our future. A broken system that is set up for failure that lives in urban communities and the inner city. This resolution is for the poor families that's suffering from poverty issues, then minorities that's living in the communities of all race. This is not just a one-color Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 resolution or epidemic. It's purposely targeted for those individuals in society that are weak, poor, undereducated, that's working minimum wage, the young and the old. This is what we call the wealthy and greedy evildoers school-to-prison pipeline system. DHS started this program in the '90s. It was made up to protect our children and, as we all know now, is an organization called Cash for Kids. This resolution is not about a political preference such as democrats or republicans. The purpose of this resolution is to protect our children and to intervene between families and unnecessary removals. How can they say they support the children when they sit back and allow corruption to happen to our children? How can you make a difference to a child if the advocates is still sponsoring foster homes instead of the parents and help them in and make better themselves Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 from poverty issues? How can you change a broken system that continues to repeat the same cycle and build prisons and reform schools instead of building more low-income housing to help the poor and build better schools?
Thank you, ma'am. Your two minutes are up. Thank you. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.)
Bridget Powell. Good morning. I'm speaking about Resolution 170408. As a school nurse of 23 years and a high school nurse for 17 years, I've seen my share of tobacco use among youth. This is important, but child separation is even bigger. First, I'd like to thank everyone who took time out of their schedule yesterday to talk to me about Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 this important issue and/or their legislative aide. I come to your hearings and I listen attentively. In May, Councilwoman Gym said that there was a task force, so there was no reason to do a new one. I called her office. I said, hey, when is the next meeting so I can come to. I was told it was in August. I told many parents. And in August, I asked them to come to the library. And at this time, I would like for everyone who came in August to raise their hand. (Some audience members raising their hand.)
I couldn't make that meeting, but I got a phone call as I was at a board meeting for the Girl Scouts, and they were like, there is no meeting. So I contacted Helen Gym's office again. She said, oh, it was cancelled because there wasn't enough people who RSVP'd. I said, I've worked for the Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 School District for 23 years. I know how to RSVP. There was no RSVP. So in September, I said, well, let me know when the next meeting is. In September, the meeting happened, September 19th. It wasn't about family separation. It was about residential placement, like Glen Mills. Yes, residential treatment is important, but that's not what we're asking for. I come to these hearings. I hear about resolutions. I don't see any other resolution getting voted out but this one about child separation. We just want a fair process and we want what's best for the kids. My nephew stood up here. It was pretty hard for him. He hasn't seen his sister. And I would just like to give out some pictures so that they can see that these children are in rooms, and I also would like to give out the task force and by saying nobody is listening. We need you to. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019
Hi. My name is Vanessa Leary, and I thank you for your time today. I'm here on Resolution 190779, and the reason why, it needs to be passed. People think that it's just -DHS doesn't -- it's completely perfect. There's no such thing as a completely perfect DHS agency. I've heard of -- I actually heard myself of caseworkers saying, oh, I'm going to make sure that you're not going to get your kids back. I have heard of parents completing every single goal and not getting their kids back. Myself, I have completed every Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 goal, and you want to know where my kids are? Still in DHS care. You want to know why I'm not getting them back? Because I am a survivor of domestic violence. I am a survivor of rape. And guess what? They're using that against me, because they want to know if that trauma is part of my reasoning for being a maternal parent. I'm not proper parenting. So I want to ask you this: There is two people not here today in Council. There's Gym and Parker. Well, now she's here. But they were blocking this. So why are they blocking this if there was nothing wrong with DHS? If your kids were in DHS care, what would you do to get your kids back? What would your limits be? My limits, I would never give up, and I'm up for termination.
Thank you, ma'am. Your two minutes are up. Thank you. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 (Applause.)
Lillian English-Hentz, followed by Joe Cox, followed by Miss Bennett. Please approach the podium. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Lillian English-Hentz and I'm here to talk about the bill I want to talk about, 190779. I'm here because this bill relates to separation of families, separation of children and families. We of Olney Charter High School have a family and I want to talk to you about it, and I want to thank Councilwoman Bass and Councilman Domb, because they have listened to us. Okay? The School District, who allows children to come and swipe in and leave and walk the halls and the streets, is Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 the kind of school that Olney was years ago before ASPIRA took over our school. Now the School District for no reason is trying to shut this school down. This school is the place where our children find food, shelter, love and care. And so, therefore, I am here to tell you that I may not be no taller than 5'3", but Imma tell you right now, we are going to fight, we are going to fight this, and we're going to fight it and we're going to fight it some more, because you are -- the national government is putting children in cages and separating families. The Governor is against charter schools. I am for education, period.
Thank you. (Applause.) Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. Thank you. My name is Joe Cox. I'm running for City Council at-large as a progressive independent. 190779, I am strongly in favor of this bill and in the creation of a Special Committee on Child Separation. People have been told there already is a committee. Let's get it done. As an activist, I have been fighting against child separation for years. Shut down Berks Detention Center while we're at it. It is clear there is a problem here in Philadelphia, as we have the highest rate of child separation in the country. Have you been listening to all of the families that have spoken already? We all want to come away with a real solution and this bill could be the first step. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Also, let's see some action about these school conditions that should be illegal. Thank you. (Applause.)
Sister Taleah Taylor. I'm here also to speak about Bill 17909 [sic]. Hold on one second, please. My apologies. I thought I had to leave. So I'm here to speak about Bill 190779 in favor of Councilman David Oh's resolution. My name is Sister Taleah Taylor. I'm President of the City of Dreams Coalition and Vice Chair of Philadelphia Anti-Violence Coalition. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 In all my years of coming to City Council, I have never seen a resolution to form a special committee get defeated or prolonged so long, and this has been going on for too long. When it comes to our children, it should have been done and over with, period. But yet Councilman David Oh's resolution to form a special committee to protect our children is being fought tooth and nail primarily by Parker and Gym, and it doesn't make sense. There should be no argument about protecting our children. We should be able to amend some things. I know we don't agree on everything, but the bottom line is protecting our children and what we all go through. We will be paying close attention of which way everyone votes today, and we already have a committee and I am sitting on the board of the committee to hit the streets in all ten districts to let everyone know and let your constituents know how much you care Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 about those children. And I'll be out there with my T's as I do y'all petitions every year, every voting time. I'll be out there myself making sure all the ward leaders, all the committee people, everyone knows which way you vote today. What I can't swallow is how you protect -- you won't protect our children, but you allow other convicted pedophiles like Emmanuel Bussie from Different Kind of Democrat to come here, roam the streets of City Hall, lobbying for y'all politicians that I already made aware of his abusive history, his deviant history he's already convicted for. Yet and still he still has been given a chance to rape another child volunteering for somebody's election. I'm trying to wonder why.
Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am. Your two minutes are up. Please, Mr. Decker.
The next three Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 speakers, James Thompson, followed by Dan LaSalle, followed by Ron Whyte. Please approach the podium. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is James Thompson. I'm here for changing the zoning designations and identifying that this area is a Promise Zone, but what about the zoning Olney Charter High School falls in? Again, my name is James Thompson and I'm the proud principal of Olney Charter High School. Today I'm here to speak to you on behalf of the positive impact that Olney Charter High School has had on the students and the surrounding community. First and foremost, I would like to formally invite each of you to visit our school, meet our staff and students, witness our classroom instructions, and see firsthand what makes our school worthy of continuing to serve the community. I have been an educator for Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 over 20 years and a school leader for more than ten. Over the years I've transitioned to being a staunch advocate for the rights of our students and the community we serve. The School District of Philadelphia launched its Renaissance School initiative, a program designed to dramatically improve the student achievement in the District's lowest performing schools. Olney is one of the schools that shifted from being run by the District to being run by ASPIRA while remaining a neighborhood school. Since the transition in 2011, a major shift in both climate and academic gains has been undisputable. It is evident that we continue to maintain a rate of success far higher than our neighboring schools serving a familiar population. There have been drastic reductions in the rates of student suspension, serious incident, making the school a much safer environment for our Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 students to learn and grow. We serve 2,000 students and nearly 90 percent of them come every day and go to class. We have shifted the culture from students being fearful to a culture of students empowered to achieve great things. We currently house the largest English language learner and special education population in the City, and we support every learner, inclusive of students who temporarily got off track and need additional support. They are trying to ram through a vote tonight to close Olney Charter High School, but before you allow the District to shut us down, come and see what we have to offer our students. Thank you.
Please state your name and proceed. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 MR. LaSALLE: Good morning. I'm here to speak about Resolution 180669. For any person here who is concerned about -
State your name, please. MR. LaSALLE: Dan LaSalle. I'm the Administrator at Olney Charter High School.
Thank you. MR. LaSALLE: For anyone concerned about the unethical practices of banks, financial literacy needs to be an incredibly important thing on your mind, and there is no school that does it better than Olney Charter High School. In fact, MarketWatch has named us as the most innovative financial literacy program in the country. Just yesterday I spoke with a representative from Andrew Yang, democratic candidate for President, one of their representatives on the phone Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 to discuss a national platform that copies our program. If the School District succeeds in closing us down, we will not be able to do what the person who began today's remarks said, allow Philadelphia to be a beacon for other cities in the entire country. Councilmembers, I believe that your job is hard, as many of ours, and that when the School District engages in big decisions, it is very possible that they can make small errors by overlooking a school. To allow our school to not be renewed would crush out many innovative programs, not only our financial literacy program. We have the second best debate team in the entire City in 2018. Do you know what it's like to be a neighborhood school, go to citywide competitions and be like, oh, Central High, the top magnet school, don't worry about them, they're easy, and then we beat them. Just this morning at 9:00 a.m., Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 the School District of Philadelphia has decided to proceed with a committee meeting, giving us less than 12 hours of notice. I really plead with you Councilmembers to have a conversation with whoever you can. If you allow our school to not be renewed, there are many innovative programs, very successful classrooms that will not be allowed to operate. Just on March 29th, 2019, the School District put out a report about how they have discrimination against closing minority-led charter schools more often, and here we are with that very same situation in front of us. I ask you to allow us to be continued to renewed.
Please state your name and proceed, please. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019
Hi. My name is Ron Whyte. I'm speaking in favor of Bill No. 190606. I want to thank Councilpeople Sanchez, Clarke, Parker, and Blackwell and Johnson for introducing this bill. I do support the adequate governing of public property, but sidebar, I have to say I did age out of foster care and people in my family have been in foster care. We need to get to the bottom of who is profiting off of separating our families. So I do support that as well, just as a quick sidebar. I also want to say that when we talk about vacant lots and vacant property, many people in our city live near vacant lots and vacant property that are filled with trash and litter, a lot of it plastic bags. A study came out from University of Pennsylvania saying that if you live near a vacant lot or vacant property with trash and litter, you are more likely to suffer from depression, feelings of inadequacy. We Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 have to do something about this. A few weeks ago thousands and thousands of youth were marching in the streets for the climate strike for environmental justice. Our Mayor is over in Europe right now meeting with other mayors. He is talking about climate justice and climate issues. If we can't do the small things like banning plastic bags, how will we do the big things like tackling climate change? So we really have to get serious about fixing our environment. I want to thank everyone for listening to me right now, and I hope that when the bill comes up regarding plastic bags and cleaning up our streets, that all Councilpeople take into consideration what our neighbors are saying about having to go out every day and cleaning up this trash. It is really out of control. We have to do something. We need to fix this problem ASAP. Thank you very much. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019
The next three speakers, Salima Pace, Ogbonna Hagins, and Desiree Whitfield. Please approach the podium. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Salima Pace. I'm the Secretary/Treasurer of District 1199C, and we just want to say thank you to Councilwoman Cherelle Parker and the others who have presented the -- I apologize. Who have presented to call the hearing to explore the service providers that are not honoring the contracts. We are simply asking that our members get paid. We are simply asking that the work that is put in, that they have the quality of work that they Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 deserve, and we are asking that you support this as this resolution makes its way through. And, again, we want to thank Councilwoman Parker for bringing this resolution up today. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. My name is Desiree A. Whitfield. This is part of my written statement to the Judicial Conduct Board about Judge Lyris Younge, and I'm going to reiterate it for time. I wrote them because I met her long before she was a judge. She worked for the City Solicitor's Office.
Excuse me. I'm sorry. What bill are you talking about?
I am standing Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 here for Bill 190779. As I continue, I wrote them because I met Lyris Younge long before she was Judge Lyris Younge, as a City Solicitor where she was writing illegal, falsified petitions to remove children from their homes. When I questioned Lyris Younge, who is now standing on the charges from the Judicial Conduct Board, her exact words to me was, us removing children, illegally removing children from their homes, is the way we make money. It's my livelihood. I want to put something else on record. I reported this to Reverend Alyn Waller from Zion Baptist Church, in which we both go. He sided with her because she is -- she was a trustee of Zion Baptist Church. I heard earlier that there's going to be a way about Reverend Alyn Waller. I protest that right now, because if you didn't find it necessary to investigate about the illegal actions of one of your trustees, why would a way Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 be named in your honor? I am standing here asking City Council to stop accepting the calls from your Mayor this morning and do the right thing and vote for Bill 190779. If I had drove a one-way street drunk, then my child would have been taken from me, but you had people that sit right here in City Council that has been drunk driving on a one-way street -
Thank you, ma'am. Your two minutes are up. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Ogbonna Hagins, and I'm going to be speaking about 190703, an ordinance amending Section 2-304 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Compensation for Members of the Board." You can read that. I'm in favor of that, absolutely, right? But check this out. The Sanitation Department, the trash men, are Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 up for a contract. They went six years without a contract. We don't need them not having a contract and treating our city like a garbage can like they do. So I'm in favor of this bill to deal with our environment. As you know, I'm Philly green man. I deal with the environment in the City, and you guys are really dropping the ball, because everything that you're hearing is a result of a negative environment, a dirty environment, an environment where I have to come here stepping over trash. It's not acceptable. The second thing I want to add on is, I want to congratulate Councilwoman Sanchez for standing up against indicted people on Council. I agree with you, and I'm ashamed that the other Councilmembers haven't stood up way before this. We have -- and ironically he's up there now dealing with overseeing this meeting. That money that's going out to Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 people who are indicted, people who are being investigated need to be going towards our children and towards these schools. As a retired teacher, I taught 30 years ago, starting 30 years ago. I stopped 22 years ago to raise my children. There were paint chips falling off the classroom walls when I was teaching there. There were paint chips falling off the classroom walls when I was a student at Dobbins. What are you guys going to do? You need to be ashamed.
Thank you, sir. Your time is up. Thank you. (Applause.)
Lynn Landes, followed by Vilma Lipper. Please approach the podium. (Witness approached podium.)
Please state your name and proceed. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019
Hi. My name is Lynn Landes and I'm the co-founder of safestreetsphilly.org speaking on 160720. Just as there are rules for businesses such as where to locate a grocery store, there are also rules for residents. There is a homeless encampment of 17 tents a couple blocks away from City Hall on Vine Street between 16th and 17th Streets. The other night there were 50 people sleeping outside of the Convention Center. Every day we are calling about homeless sleeping in our neighborhood just five blocks away from here. We were told that the homeless are living on the streets of Philadelphia because federal courts have said they have a right to, but that's not what the court said. In Martin versus the City of Boise, the Ninth Circuit ruled that if there is no shelter provided by the City, only then could the homeless sleep on the streets. Yesterday I received an e-mail Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 from the City's Managing Director, who told me that the homeless have a constitutional right to sleep on the street and they couldn't be forced into shelters. We have been trying to get the homeless off of the streets and into the shelters, thinking that available space was the deciding factor, but now we're being told it isn't. If the homeless want to sleep outside, that's their right. That is not what the court said, but that's the position of the City of Philadelphia. It's an invitation to chaos. The police are demoralized, businesses are frustrated, and residents are angry. The City is bragging that they are handling the problem by not arresting anyone. This carrot and carrot approach to law enforcement is not working. District Attorney Krasner is not doing his job, and other City officials have a confused notion of constitutional rights Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 that ignores the rights of all residents to live in a city that protects their health, safety, and welfare. Thank you. (Applause.)
Vilma Lipper. Good afternoon, Buenas tardes, shalom. This is my granddaughter, Chloe Lipper. Her Hebrew name is Isdia after her grandfather, who was an Israeli hero. I'm pleading here to the Jewish community to help me fight her case. Chloe is being sexually abused by her father, with the knowledge of DHS, Family Court, as well as the hospital. Would you please give me attention? Sir, please, some respect. I don't see the respect. You're talking in Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 the background and then you're going to cut off my... Again, Jewish girl. She is a Jewish girl, being sexually molested by her father, with the knowledge of DHS, Family Court, and the hospital where she was taken care of. The social worker was a relative of the father, and she threatened (unintelligible). After two weeks of her being -- after two weeks of her knowledge of her, seemed like in child pornography, my baby was transferred to rehab, where she was sharing a room with a teenager and the father stayed a couple days, with full knowledge of his preference. Now here is my granddaughter with us, happy.
Thank you, ma'am. Your two minutes are up, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you very much.
Thank you, ma'am. Thank you. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 (Microphone turned off.)
Ma'am, really. We've asked everybody to please adhere to the two-minute rule. Please, ma'am. I appreciate it. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. Chairman.
We will now consider today's Bill Consent Agenda. I will ask Mr. Decker to please read the titles of all bills on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the bill on the Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the bill will be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on our regular Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, will you please now Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 of the bills on the Consent Agenda.
Bill No. 160026-A, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Traffic Code,' Chapter 12-100, 'General Provisions,' by adding new definitions, and Chapter 12-900 'Parking Regulations and Penalties,' by adding 'live performing arts venue' to the entities exempt from paying fees for curb loading zone permits and adding a new Section, entitled 'Performing Arts Priority Loading and Unloading Zones,' providing for loading and unloading zones to allow easier access for performing artists to load-in and load-out at live performing arts venues around the City of Philadelphia"; and Bill No. 190608-A, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Miscellaneous,' by adding a new Chapter 21-3100, entitled 'Reporting Settlements Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Actions,' to establish a system of quarterly reporting and evaluation of means to reduce future liability"; and Bill No. 190130, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Parks and Recreation Commissioner and the Procurement Commissioner to enter into a Concession Agreement with Loveluck for the design, construction, management and operation of a food and beverage concession in the Fairmount Park Welcome Center in John F. Kennedy Plaza, also known as Love Park"; and Bill No. 190714, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with the Robert Nicoletti Family Trust, for use by the City, of all or a portion of the premises located at 1813 through 25 Hilton Street"; and Bill No. 181047, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Christian Street to South 24th Street and Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 19th Street; Montrose Street to South 22nd Street; Catharine Street to South 23rd Street; Carpenter Street to South 15th Street; Bambrey Street to Webster Street; South 16th Street to Catharine Street"; and Bill No. 190101, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Webster Street and South 18th Street; Fitzwater Street and South 20th Street; Christian Street between South Broad Street and South 16th Street; Carpenter Street and South 24th Street; Catharine Street and South 20th Street; Bainbridge Street between 24th Street and Schuylkill Avenue"; and Bill No. 190552, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill No. 170002) approved May 22, 2017, entitled 'An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 269 by relocating the easterly houseline of Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 a point approximately five-hundred forty-five feet north of Curie Boulevard to a point approximately two-hundred thirty-six feet further northwardly therefrom,' by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein"; and Bill No. 190556, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill No. 120903) approved January 14, 2013, entitled 'An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 156 by striking from the City Plan Fourth Street from Allegheny Avenue to Lippincott Street, striking from the City Plan Lippincott Street from Fourth Street to its terminus westwardly therefrom, reserving and placing on the City Plan a right-of-way for sewer and drainage purposes within the lines of Lippincott Street being stricken, placing on the City Plan a right-of-way for sewer and Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 from the intersection of Fourth Street and Lippincott Street eastwardly to the intersection of American Street and Lippincott Street, and placing on the City Plan a right-of-way,' by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein"; and Bill No.
190561, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Frank Strawbridge to own and maintain a sign anchored into the sidewalk in the Public Right-of-Way at 801 Market Street"; and Bill No. 190609, entitled "An ordinance establishing no parking and tow-away regulations on the east side of Academy Road from Grant Avenue to Glenn Street"; and Bill No. 190642, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Cedar Avenue and South 46th Street; South 44th Street between Walnut Street and Baltimore Avenue; Osage Avenue between Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 42nd Street and South 53rd Street"; and Bill No. 190643, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Larchwood Street between South 49th Street and South 46th Street; Irving Street and South 53rd Street; Upland Street and South 50th Street; South 51st Street and Market Street; South 54th Street between Cedar Avenue and Catharine Street"; and Bill No. 190646, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of Stanton Street and Frederick Street; Wharton Drive and Henry Avenue; Midvale Avenue and The Oak Road; Calumet Street and Cresson Street to Ridge Avenue; Stokley Street and Midvale Avenue; Vaux Street and Coulter Street"; and Bill No. 190647, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no motor home parking regulation on Drexel Road, from Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Upland Way, both sides"; and Bill No. 190648, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Wynnewood Road and Malvern Street; North 52nd Street and Overbrook Avenue; Market Street and North 57th Street; Oxford Street and North 59th Street; Edgewood Street and Market Street; Frazier Street and Market Street; Salford Street and Market Street; North 63rd Street and Arch Street"; and Bill No. 190656, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Dickinson Street from Moyamensing Avenue to South 5th Street; Greenwich Street from South 6th Street to South 4th Street; Wharton Street and South Front Street"; and Bill No. 190657, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Reed Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 3rd Street; Federal Street and South 5th Street; Cross Street and 6th Street; Mountain Street and South 5th Street"; and Bill No. 190705, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-205 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Sidewalk Sales,' by adding an exception to a prohibited vending location"; and Bill No. "
Thank you, Mr. Decker. These bills having been read on Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 days, the question for each bill now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll, and upon being called, each Councilmember shall vote aye on each of the bills, nay on each of the bills, or indicate those bills for which the member is voting aye and those bills for which the member is voting nay. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING on all bills. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative for each of the bills, the bills on the Consent Agenda are passed. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please proceed.
Resolution No. 190769, entitled a "Resolution also naming the 5000 block of Baltimore Avenue 'Representative Al Dumas Boulevard' in honor of State Representative Al Dumas and his dedication to public service," introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. That resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
And a resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Aging to hold public hearings examining solutions to prevent the ongoing displacement of senior citizens with fixed incomes due to rising rental costs, introduced by Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to speak on this resolution.
It's been moved and properly seconded -- I'm Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING sorry.
Thank you, Mr. President. Many districts, if not all districts in the City of Philadelphia, are experiencing a flood of multi-unit properties that are coming of age that have had some type of federal or state-assisted financing. During those times of financing, there were rent restrictions put on a lot of those residents. So in a case in one of the buildings in my district, seniors had a $400 a month mortgage. As these agreements come of age and some of the owners opt not to renew any new relationship with HUD, we're finding some building owners that are opportunists, saying that we'd like to renovate, go a different direction, and move some of these existing residents out Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING so that we can upgrade, quote, and be able to charge market rate. I am not a socialist. I want people to feel free to move their properties in certain directions, but not at the expense of people who have lived in facilities sometimes for decades, sometimes never being late, never missing a month's rent. So the issue for some of those residents is facing that kind of capitalism. The second part of it is average median income. What that means is that some people's rents are calculated on that average median income for the City. So when people with means move in in their relative geographic area, that average median income is counted against some of the pensions that were frozen, because they're not going up, and so they find themselves in buildings that we helped the owners get, helped them to find funding for. Those Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING shovels are in our respective offices. Now retired civil servants, some police officers are finding themselves having to move out of those same facilities and move with their children because they can't afford the rent increases that are being proposed. We hope that this hearing will shed light on that, and not to stifle capitalism but to offer alternatives to gentrification. And so I look forward to this, and I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. That resolution is adopted. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution recognizing and honoring the dedicated and loyal service of Romulo L. Diaz, Jr. to the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Green on behalf of Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
The Chair was going to recognize Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution recognizing and honoring Rebecca Rutstein Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING for her dedicated service through art to the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Green on behalf of Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
The Chair one more time will recognize Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. That resolution is Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Thank you very much, Council President. I have to take leave, and I'd like to be recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions.
Thank you, Councilwoman. That shall be reflected in the record.
And a resolution calling for a fair contract for commercial office cleaners and building service workers in Philadelphia, introduced by Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold hearings regarding service providers and employers honoring existing and prior worker contract agreements, introduced by Councilwoman Parker.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution recognizing the 95th Anniversary of the Curtis Institute of Music, its part in training the world's finest musicians, and for its contributions to the rich cultural fabric of the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Domb.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Streets and Services to hold a hearing regarding the reconstruction work on Interstate 95, and the entire Revive I-95 plan, introduced by Councilman Taubenberger.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
And a resolution authorizing the establishment of a "Special Committee on Child Separation in Philadelphia" to review child separation in Philadelphia's child welfare system and develop recommendations to ensure compliance with State Child Protective Services Law to protect children and due process rights of families and prevent the unnecessary break-up of families, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 10/10/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
Okay. We got it. All right. Excuse me. Excuse me. We have a little more -folks, folks, we have a little more business to conduct.
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. (Audience members yelling out.)
All right. All right. Okay. Okay. Okay. Let's have a little quiet. Ma'am, you can go in the Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 (Audience member yelling out.)
Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Folks are excited, but we have business to conduct. I'm going to ask you all to please be quiet. (Audience member yelling out.)
Ma'am, ma'am. All right. Before we move to our adjournment, I want to do a couple of things. I want to do a couple of things. First, I would like to, on behalf of City Council, we would like to acknowledge and wish our good friend and colleague, what, 36th birthday? Happy birthday, Councilman Squilla. (Applause.)
What did you say, somebody got the number wrong? Oh, all right. It's around there. You'll take 36 today. Councilman, congratulations and happy Stated Meeting October 10, 2019
Now I want to do a little bit of business on my behalf. So as you know, one of the things that we've been able to do is have some very, very special people work for us in the City Council of Philadelphia. Pretty much all of them have gone on to a number of things. Some of them have stayed here. But we're really proud about the staff, the people that actually do the work that make us look good on a consistent basis. Rarely do they make us look bad. But I just want to just acknowledge a couple of guys. Where's Will at? He's somewhere conducting business? I'm going to say his name. He's somewhere conducting business. So as you all know, some of you know, I'm going to call Will Carter's name first. Will Carter has been here Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 long, long time, actually came to work for me before I was Council President and we had that office across the hall. And he was a person I'd look forward to seeing every day, long, hard-working young man. He's grown to be a little older young man, but he has been an awesome, awesome addition. Is he coming? Yeah, Carter. Come on. (Applause.)
So everybody knows Will and everybody loves Will. And Will has been a person that has been an awesome, awesome addition to the City Council of Philadelphia, and we just want to say, man, you know, we really appreciate what you've done. You've grown to be one of my little brothers, you know. I hope I've given you good counsel over the years. I guess I did because you're married with two children now. So you did the right thing. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 But, Will, we just want to say on behalf of Council, thank you so much for your contribution. Will will now -- has actually started. He's going to serve in the Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of Local Government, Advocacy and Engagement. So he will continue to be around and he'll be moving the needle. He has some very optimistic perspective on what he's going to be able to do from that side of the equation. We wish you well. We hope you're very successful. So, Will, congratulations, man, and thank you for your service. (Applause.)
Jeffery Young. So another young individual. Jeffery, actually, I remember Jeffery came in the office when I was again around in 44 and he was the -- what were you? My Youth Commission? Stated Meeting October 10, 2019
Oh, wow, wow. Man, Will, I didn't even know you had an intern back then. All right. Well, so Jeffery has been a person that I've seen grown from his early years, early, early years, and I just want to say how proud I am of him, but awesome work that he's done here as the legislative counsel but, more importantly, the work that he's done out in the neighborhood, because everybody knows Jeff, and when they can't remember his name, they say, yeah, that guy with the dreadlocks that works for you. You know, that must be Jeffery. So, Jeffery, man, thank you. Appreciate all you've done. Again, one of my little, little brothers. You've Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 and got a lot of respect for the work you've done. Jeffery is now going on. He is now in private practice. He has joined the Legis Group LLC as a partner specializing in a variety of real estate matters, including land use, zoning code enforcement, estate planning, all that good stuff. Whatever somebody is willing to pay the firm for, Jeffery is prepared to do it. So, Jeff, I want to thank you. (Applause.)
So this next guy, Jeremy Gradwohl. So Jeremy was this guy that kind of came along and this program that we had -Fellows, right? Fellows program? Because we wanted a little bit more fancier than interns. That sounded like, well, it's Fellows, you know, like whatever, right? So Jeremy was a guy that came along, and very interesting young individual, not from the City of Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 Philadelphia, but figured out a way to be here and ended up going to the local schools. And Jeremy was a guy that he would end up in some interesting places, because a lot of times people are new to the City and the neighborhood, they're kind of like, well, do I have to go over there? Jeremy didn't care, right? I see him everywhere, and it wasn't necessarily during work hours. You know what I mean? Jeremy was everywhere, and he got to know the people in the neighborhood and the people in the neighborhood got to know him, and he was a really, really great addition as he moved from the Fellows program up to being a member of the Council staff. He did some great work. I got a lot of friends, a lot of people look forward to calling him, because he always followed through, regardless of what the subject matter was, and made sure that he followed through to ensure that people got really good service. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 interesting. Jeremy continues to be in the Temple Law School, but now he has been offered and accepted an internship position in the Chambers of Judge Michael A. Shipp of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. (Applause.)
So I'd just like to take a little personal prompts for training him well, all these guys. But, Jeremy, thank you, man. We really appreciate what you've done, your work in the neighborhood and your willingness to serve. And to all three of you guys, man, awesome, awesome. We'll continue to see you all again, and please do not change your phone number, because we will be calling you. All right? So, guys, thank you all so much. We really appreciate what you've done. We look forward to many, many more successes. Thank you all. Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 (Applause.)
We're going to be having cake or something, 491. So anybody wants cake. Shake Shack? Oh, no. I got hooked on this Shake Shack thing. We are going to be having refreshments in 491 through all of you, and I understand, Will, you're going to actually be having -- a couple of you all are going to be having another little real party. Maison. All right. When is that? Tonight? 5 o'clock tonight at Maison. You're going to really be getting it in. All right. Guys, thank you again so much. Thank you so much for your support. We really appreciate what you've done for us. Okay. Any speeches on behalf of the minority? (No response.)
Speeches on behalf of the majority? The Chair recognizes Stated Meeting October 10, 2019
Thank you, Mr. President, and I'll be very brief. During the public comment, the name of the Senior Pastor of the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church was mentioned and it was attributed to another church, and for the benefit of the public and I'm proud to have been a member of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church long before it grew into what it has become in its new house on the 2800 block of Cheltenham Avenue. I've been a member since I was on Coulter Street sitting in the basement and having service, watching it on the screen. But I just want for the public's benefit to note that Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller is the Senior Pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. Thank you so very much for the record.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. There being no additional Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 speeches, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown for a motion to adjourn.
Yes, yes, yes, Mr. President. I want to extend my personal congratulations to these young men, who indeed represent the future, and to congratulate you for having a bench. It matters. Secondly, I want to remind everyone that immediately after Council in the Caucus Room, the Philadelphia Orchard Project will do a briefing. And so you can enjoy lunch with us and then enjoy the fattening delicious desserts with the members of your team. With that, I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 17th, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 17, 2019, 10:00 Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Thank you all very much. ) Stated Meeting October 10, 2019 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. m 1:7 171:5 169:19,24 146:4 74:25 150:11 46:14 103:11 120:25 achieve 44:18 170:11 afford 50:20 147:14 alum 75:15 155:11 105:11 169:20 118:7 adjournment 150:7 ago 12:16 77:20 announced 108:4 110:2 170:2 achievement 159:13 Africa 7:24 73:25 74:13 Alumni 15:9 25:24 49:3 111:25 ability 82:19 117:11 169:1 170:1 16:13,24,25 88:10 111:3 Alyn 53:12 announcem... 113:6 able 3:15 acknowledge Administra... 24:20 27:12 123:3 129:6 126:16,22 47:21 118:22 13:2 29:20 159:16 36:3 68:23 129:6,7 168:18 answer 66:9 121:22 31:2 43:9 160:18 Administra... Africa's agree 114:16 amazing 7:17 74:20 97:8 124:4 125:8 73:7 89:21 acquisitions 119:10 13:14 128:20 68:15 Anthony 127:15 101:2 45:2 admiration African 7:23 agreement Amen 4:10 83:14 85:7 129:17 114:15 act 86:15 11:25 28:21 8:7,12 9:22 44:15 136:9 4:11 anti-gang 132:6 158:7 120:5 149:3 action 85:15 admitting 10:5,14,18 136:18 amend 35:6 10:8 158:10 160:8 113:2 66:16 11:17 13:8 agreements 114:15 Anti-Violen... 159:20 162:12 actions 57:7 adopted 13:15 15:14 41:4,23 amending 113:25 161:12 abolitionist 61:9 88:8 147:9 15:24 16:15 45:6 57:4 32:7,19 anti-war 10:5 162:18 28:5 97:9 126:24 150:25 16:16,22 148:19 34:13 37:4 anticipate 164:14 abrupt 47:17 Actions,' 151:23 24:18,21 154:15 37:11,17,25 47:10 166:9 167:2 absence 5:16 136:2 153:2 154:9 27:8 aide 106:3 47:7 56:4 Antoinette apply 171:21 5:22 6:3,6 active 24:20 155:9 156:8 African-born air 74:4 127:20 87:22 appointee absolutely activism 43:7 157:5 24:12 Al 1:18 15:21 135:5,22 anxiety 96:24 26:14 127:23 activist 15:9 adoption Africology 146:14,15 137:20 anybody appointment abuse 10:25 112:14 146:22 15:11 alarming 138:11 18:22 25:2 25:21,25 97:6 activities 10:8 150:13 Afro-Centric 77:5 142:7,12,18 167:5 28:14 abused acts 102:7 151:12 10:10 alienation America 8:8 anymore appreciate 132:20 actual 66:17 152:10,15 after-school 96:11 8:18 11:19 71:23 72:2 6:15 31:7 abusive 96:25 add 47:8 153:22 65:24 alive 89:2 16:23 49:14 apart 101:14 134:6 99:15,23 128:16 154:22 afternoon ALLAN 1:11 68:22 apologies 8:2 161:19 115:15 adding 135:8 155:21 72:19 78:18 Allegheny America's 113:18 163:24 academic 135:10,13 156:19 85:12 99:8 138:17 73:18 apologize 166:14,23 117:17 135:24 157:20 103:5 112:5 alleviate American 8:7 7:20 124:18 167:18 Academy 142:9 advanced 116:6 51:24 8:12,13 appear 86:22 approach 76:2 78:22 addition 48:12,16 124:12 Alliance 10:14,19 appears 22:5 87:24 139:18 60:17 94:13 advancement 125:14 15:16,25 11:18 13:8 61:16 93:18 acceptable 161:9,16 26:20 127:17 16:22 15:24 21:5 Applause 102:24 128:15 165:16 advised 27:7 132:13 Allied 44:9 28:5 139:5 11:5 12:5 110:8 116:4 accepted additional advisor 26:16 age 122:9 allow 29:9 Americans 13:10 14:5 124:9 166:5 58:25 Advisors 27:2 148:12,19 87:15 16:14 16:8 17:18 129:22 accepting 118:13 advisory agency 26:17 104:20 amount 61:18 18:8,14,18 131:21 127:4 147:11 16:19 108:19 115:10 77:10 97:13 19:4,19 approached access 43:10 168:25 142:17,19 agenda 59:1 118:16 anchored 20:8 21:25 7:3 24:8 69:4 81:8 additionally Advocacy 59:10,24 120:7,15 139:12 23:9,12,20 62:20 64:4 92:5 135:17 26:13 162:8 60:10,19 121:7,18 and/or 45:10 24:15 28:23 67:9 70:13 accidents address 66:7 advocate 63:2 70:2 134:1 135:17 106:2 31:16 63:12 72:18 75:11 52:8 74:23 78:11 117:4 134:15,17 allowance 171:23 63:23 67:3 78:17 80:21 accompany...