We’ll have a few things from the past as we mark Memorial Day this weekend. Here is some history of the Frankford War memorial at Frankford Stadium.
Frankford War Memorial
Category: Miscellaneous
Nicky Needs You
By Tracey Kliebhan, Newtown, PA
Jeanine Krautheim from Northeast Philly is a single mom to 16-year-old Nicky who was born with a number of medical issues including Cerebral Palsy and Angelman Syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting the nervous system which is also marked by seizures. Nicky is unable to eat, walk or talk but his mom says his love speaks a thousand words. Nicky also has a brother who is autistic and Jeanine has very little support to help her care for her family. These children have significant daily accessibility and medical needs and Jeanine is truly struggling.
She is trying to provide Nicky with as many experiences as possible but he now weighs 77 lbs and she can no longer carry him into her car, even for doctor’s appointments. So Jeanine recently entered a contest for a wheelchair-accessible van, and though she has not received enough votes, many folks were touched by her story and by her complete devotion to her children. Jeanine was interviewed by Fox 29 and you can see that interview here.
Lucy Gardner was one of those touched by this story and she has now created a gofundme page for Jeanine (here is the link). We need the city of Brotherly Love to show some love and help this local family in need.
Dawkins Proposes Task Force on Juvenile Life Sentences
State Representative Jason Dawkins in working on final preparations to issue a resolution in the 
General Assembly to establish the Task Force on Juvenile Life Sentences.
The task force will meet to develop recommendations regarding how best to handle appeals and applications for post-conviction relief from the hundreds of individuals in this Commonwealth who were sentenced to mandatory life without parole when they were under the age of 18.
The task force will be comprised of eleven experts that are knowledgeable and experienced in issues relating to criminal appeals, post-conviction relief, and the appropriate sentencing of youth offenders. Seven members will be appointed by the House, Senate and governor, while the remaining four will consist of representatives from the Department of Corrections, the Board of Probation and Parole, the Sentencing Commission, and the Office of Victim Advocate.
In 2012, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Miller v. Alabama that mandatory life without parole sentences for individuals who were under 18 at the time of the offense are unconstitutional. Then, on January 25, 2016, our nation’s highest court ruled in Montgomery v. Louisiana that its decision in Miller must be applied retroactively. Pennsylvania faces a greater challenge in complying with Miller and Montgomery than most states, as it is home to nearly 500 of the nation’s 2,000 “juvenile lifers.”
The resolution calls for a thorough and comprehensive review of laws, court decisions, policies and procedures. This will ensure an efficient appeals and post-conviction relief process that will provide just and fair sentences that are sufficient to protect public safety and promote rehabilitation.
Follow this link for a draft of the proposed resolution.
Veteran of the Month Howard Williams
Howard (Punny) Williams was born on July 28th, 1936 in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. Punny, as he was known by his family and friends was educated in the Philadelphia School System at Henry Elementary School and then Fairhill S. C. School for Boys. He was baptized at an early age and was a member of St. Thomas Baptist Church.
Howard joined the Army on October 16th, 1956 and was sent to Fort Dix New Jersey for basic training. He was then shipped overseas to Germany, then to France and then to Korea. Howard received certain awards and certificates and was promoted to the rank of Private First Class (E-4). He served his term of duty and was honorably discharged in October of 1959.
In civilian life, he was self-employed as a handyman and also when business was slow he worked as a furniture mover for the S.W. Smith Moving and Hauling business. Howard’s greatest challenge was taking care of his grandmother. He also was a very supportive number of American Legion Post 224 and other groups such as the Northeast Frankford Boys and Girls Club and the Frankford Chargers.
Punny enjoys fishing, casino trips, traveling and group activities. He really enjoys life and riding around the neighborhood on his scooter and holding long winded-conversations with anyone who will listen to his version of how it is or why things should be and how it was “back in the day”.
“Rap on Brother, Rap on.”
Frankford Junction Derailment Anniversary
We have been informed that there will be a ceremony to mark the anniversary of the derailment (May 12, 2015) at Frankford Junction tonight between 615 and 8 PM. It will be at the site of the accident.
