Category: Miscellaneous

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Why Care About Gerrymandering

Gerrymander: to manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class.

Sounds exciting doesn’t it, especially if you are the party in control but its counter to representative government.  There are bills in both the PA House and Senate that would level the field with 101 co-sponsors.  That shows some support.  Our local State Rep. John Taylor is one of the co-sponsors.

For some reason, six Philadelphia lawmakers don’t seem to understand that if legislative districts were drawn less lopsided, the city would have a better chance to resolve its issues. Under the current arrangement, Harrisburg doesn’t even have to listen because legislative leaders are able to pick their voters and ensure eternal job security.

Republicans controlled the maps the last time boundaries were drawn and sketched pockets of Republican voters, which gave them 13 congressional seats to Democrats’ five. In the legislature, Republicans hold a 122-80 advantage in the House and 34-16 edge in the Senate. That’s cheating because the state has 4.2 million Democrats to 3.3 million Republicans. Democrats might have more seats if their leaders had not cut backroom deals to save their own seats.
Read the rest of the story from the Inquirer at this link.
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Jahri Evans to Hold Football camp in Frankford

Green Bay Packers offensive guard Jahri Evans will hold a free football and cheer camp for the area’s youth at Frankford High School’s football field on Saturday, May 20. The The day will feature celebrity guests from the sports and entertainment world along with an entertainment stage, kids corner with face painting, bounce houses, free food, arts and crafts, games and prizes, free adult health screenings for hypertension, heart disease, stroke and cancer, and more. The Daniel E. Rumph II Foundation in partnership with The Youth Heart Screening Team at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) will provide free heart screenings and ECG testing for children, 5-19 years old, as well as independent and City of Philadelphia service vendors distributing resources, information and giveaways.

Source: Jahri Evans to hold a football camp and community outreach day | Sports | phillytrib.com

 

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Veteran of the Month – Joe Taylor

Joseph Taylor was born in 1948 and grew up in the Oxford Circle area attending St. Martin of Tours grade school and Cardinal Dougherty High School.

After High School, he attended a local Technical School and completed a 12-month course in basic electronics and immediately landed a job as an Electronics Technician to trouble shoot color TV’s at the Philco Television assembly plant at “C” and Tioga Streets in the Kensington area of Philadelphia.

While working at Philco, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy Reserve in October 1967 and within a month he was asked to join the Naval Security Group and began his journey as a Communication / Cryptologic Technician.  By Dec 1967 he was off to Boot Camp.

He completed his Navy, Communication Technician, “A” School, training in Pensacola Florida and after a back-ground investigation, he received his Top-Secret Security clearance.

During the Viet Nam era Joe’s first duty station was the U.S. Naval Communications Station at San Miguel in the Philippines.  He was also stationed at the U.S.  NSGA, (Naval Security Group Activity), Hakata, Japan. He attained the rank of E-5, Rating CTR2, and Petty Officer Second class and was separated from active duty in July of 1970 with final discharges from the Reserves in October of 1973.

After his military duty, he continued working in the electronics field, specializing with Test and Measurement Equipment and has held a variety positions during his career.  He was a Repair and Calibration Technician, Supervisor, Technical Sales, Lab Manager and Branch Manager. While working full time he attended night school at St. Joseph’s University.  His efforts paid off with BS in Business Management.

Joe enjoys helping people and now has started a second career as a customer service representative for the Internal Revenue Service.  He has been married for 42 years to his wife Maureen. They have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

Joe is very active in the Frankford area as a member of” Keep the Faith in Frankford” and volunteers at St. Mark’s Church in the “Dining with Dignity” program.  He is active with 15th District PDAC and Town Watch, Eyes & Ears program as well.

Joe Taylor, we thank you for your service!!!

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Congratulations to Kyra M. Lewis

This is the year of excellence for Kyra M. Lewis, a Penn State University student from the Frankford section of Philadelphia.

It was not long ago that this early graduate from the PA Virtual Charter School Class of 2013 entered college at the age of 16. At the prime age of 20 she has a lot to smile about. When Kyra embarked at Penn State Abington Campus, she knew it was going to require hard work and dedication. She credits her tears of jubilee to her supportive family, friends, and mentors but above all she graciously gives thanks to God as she has obediently followed the plan which was presented before her. Kyra is a determined young woman. She not only motivates herself but she inspires others through her charming personality.

Penn State Abington honored students at its annual Awards and Leadership Reception with families, friends, and other supporters in the audience on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. Kyra Lewis received the following award:

Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award: Recognizes an undergraduate enrolled at a commonwealth location whose outstanding qualities of character, scholarship, leadership, and citizenship have been directed into programs and services that have positively influenced fellow students and have contributed to the prestige and well-being of their campus, and, hence, to the reputation of the University as a whole: Kyra Lewis.

Lewis served as an Orientation Leader for three years including as the head Orientation Leader. She is the founder and president of the Beauty Club, an organization that promotes beauty from within, by recognizing the power of self-esteem and a body positive image.

“She has contributed to a culture at Abington that sees beauty in all, regardless of size, color, religion or any other defining factor that is used to label others,” according to Gina Kaufman, director of Student Affairs.

Kyra will graduate from Penn State Abington on Friday, May 5, with a baccalaureate degree Psychological Social Sciences and a minor in Human Development. Following graduation she has accepted the generous career offer to work at Bancroft as a Clinical Assistant in New Jersey. Kyra intends to return to school for her master degree in the Fall of 2018. She will marry  Lance Corporal Shyeem Gayle of the United States Marines on Sunday, July 16, 2017.

Kyra’s family and community of friends are overflowing with joy over the ambitious milestones that this young woman has achieved. Many well wishes, as she continues in her future endeavors.