CityPaper: A Voice For The Fallen: One man's quest to memorialize the 4,600 gay men who died of AIDS in Philadelphia.:

If Bartlett's wiki had a mission statement, it would probably go something like this: "To help those who lived through those dark years heal, and to connect that generation with those who came after."

"As I am gradually becoming an elder in the gay community, I'm trying to find that next way to connect these generations," Bartlett says. "This wiki is a tool to develop conversation between young generations of activists — gays, yes, but not just gays — also anyone who wants to start, live and sustain a movement."

In the summer of 1991, ACT UP Philadelphia converged with other LGBTQ, labor, women's rights and sundry liberal organizations in Kennebunkport, Maine, to protest then-President Bush's re-election campaign. They chartered a bus. Bartlett was riding. So, too, was a man named Harry Reed, a sanitation worker who came with a travel bar in tow, making martinis and handing out beers — which, as Bartlett mentions, is referenced on Reed's wiki entry.

"A lot of the people on that bus died that year or soon after, including Harry," Bartlett says. "I think we all knew he was sick then and that must have been scary." But they pressed ahead anyway. The movement was bigger, more important, than any individual, or any disease.

"That was a time when I realized I was born at a unique moment that allowed me to participate in a defining time in history," Bartlett says. "We can't possibly let all these stories disappear."

Link: Gay Networks in Philadelphia Wiki

Philadelphia, PA – As the Senate gears up to debate climate legislation this fall, paid lobbyists with the American Petroleum Institute are organizing a new type of event – invitation only “Energy Citizens” rallies. These rallies are one of the latest attempts to spread fear that the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) will raise energy prices and ‘kill jobs’.

Recently, one such rally, organized by registered lobbyist Rolf Hanson, came within 30 minutes of Philadelphia, where I live. The event took place at Turbine Hall in the heavily industrialized City of Chester, Pennsylvania. I uncovered a few details before event planners became suspicious and I snuck in undetected.

Inside Turbine Hall, I was handed a bright yellow “Energy Citizens” T-shirt, offered hotdogs, hamburgers and chips, and found myself listening to country music. The scene was all-American. Free stuff, meat, and southern twang. Soon small business owners, farmers, and a video of country music star Trace Atkins took the stage as the main event. Each spoke in succession and attempted to generate a buzz around the threats of the climate legislation. Unfortunately for the “Energy Citizens” fanclub, the messages were contradictory, incongruous, and misleading. For instance, ‘expert’ John Brinson, who contended that he read the science journals, spent much of his allotted speaking time denouncing climate change as a hoax. His speech contrasted significantly from later speakers who claimed that the climate bill could be more industry-friendly and still address climate change by investing in technologies to lower greenhouse gas emissions. So, does the “Energy Citizens” group believe in climate change or not?

The event continued with bizarre speeches and misleading statements. Next I heard comments that “Waxman-Markey is bad for the Delaware River port community.” Strange though, that neither the speakers, nor the audience had a connection to the Delaware River port community. Despite the event taking place on the Chester waterfront, attendees were bused in from Allentown and New Jersey. Then, after emphasizing the importance of oil to industrial development and holocaust (attributing the downfall of Nazi Germany to a lack of oil), the last speaker concluded his statements by asking the audience to mull over the rhetorical questions, “Do you want to protect America? Do you believe in God?” I’m not sure where that was going.

Most seriously, the Energy Citizens rally mislead attendees, media, and political targets by predicting that energy prices will rise and jobs opportunities fall with investments in alternative energy. To the contrary, recent reports predict that a just transition to a clean energy economy can lift approximately 78 million people out of poverty. The September 2008 Apollo Report explains that wind energy is already cost competitive with building new coal plants and investments in renewable energy generate 50% more jobs per dollar invested than coal. Since September 2008 many reports have indicated that investments in energy conservation, efficiency, and renewables are all cost competitive with traditional fossil fuel-based energy. The “Green Prosperity” report, published in June 2009, even describes new Green Jobs as offering individuals opportunities for advancement, while being accessible to individuals across education levels.

I agree with the three main tenets of the “Energy Citizens” group. 1. The United States should be more energy self-sufficient. 2. Energy must be affordable for working class Americans and 3. We cannot forget workers in the towns and cities such as Chester, Pennsylvania – places with energy intensive industries. It is because I believe in these tenets that I also believe in local, renewable energy sources, Green Jobs, adaptation aid, and attention, investment, and planning for a just transition to healthy, sustainable industries in manufacturing cities and places that host polluting energy and waste technologies.

While “Energy Citizens”, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the American Conservative Union, and Dick Armey's FreedomWorks has sought to misinform politicians and the media, public opinion polls show that Americans want clean, renewable energy.

For instance, a Zogby International poll reported that only 28% of likely voters believe Congress is doing too much to address climate change. By contrast 45% stated they believe Congress should act more aggressively to address the problems connected to climate change. Almost no environmental groups have expressed satisfaction with the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) and more than 300 environmental groups have asked the Senate for a stronger bill. Many environmental justice groups, including Philadelphia-based Energy Justice Network, oppose the ACES legislation because current drafts may do more to incentivize polluting fuels than renewable ones, locking Americans into modern polluting and unsustainable fuel systems.

Criticism of ACES is coming from all sides – from groups and individuals who believe legislation must have stronger emissions reduction targets and more focus on environmental justice, and from the “Energy Citizens” groups of the world – groups that mislead and obstruct progress on climate change with claims that renewable energy is too expensive for American workers. In the coming months, while the legislation becomes ever more confusing and confused, and while fossil fuel lobbies fabricate more myths, the voices of voters and community members, need to be louder and more specific than ever.

Let’s demand regulating carbon based on scientific targets, eliminating mountaintop removal mining, demand that dirty energy money is separated from political systems and leaders, and work for a just transition to a clean energy economy.

Read Todd Wolfson and Hanna Sassaman piece summarizing Philadelphia's important pursuit of stimulus money to expand Philadelphia online access.

Young Philly Politics: Why was turnout so low?:

..one reason turnout was low that we all have some control over: Our voting system sucks.

. Read the whole piece for some ideas to move things forward.

via my personal blog:

Following Refresh Philly May have been some great discussions in its related Google Group.

Technically Philly posted two followups: City CIO's $100 million Digital Philadelphia vision and Editorial: City government calls for tech support

Jonny Goldstein, on his blog, envizualize, had literally, visualized the discussion with some art live at the discussion that is just terrific, you got to take a look: Visual Notes From Philly CIO Allan Frank at Refresh Philly

Two efforts to collect what people want from Philly governments online efforts and the data it makes available have been launched by participants in the discussion:

Wikispaces: phillydata

Google Moderator: Philadelphai - What can we do for you?

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/44.president/inauguration/map/

President-elect Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States on January 20. Millions were in Washington D.C. to witness the historic moment.
CNN wants bloggers and writers to upload their footage and photos to ireport@cnn.com.

The best footage is being featured online. The Photosynth is awesome!!!

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/44.president/inauguration/themoment/

Inquirer: True melting pot helped save libraries:

Stirred by Mayor Nutter's proposal to close 11 branch libraries, the opponents came tumbling off the shelves of Philadelphia society - rich, poor, black, white, homeschoolers from the Northeast, young anarchists from West Philly.

With President-elect Barack Obama's campaign as both inspiration and field guide, they organized, demonstrated and sued, then packed the courtroom for hearings and showered the mayor with boos at his own news conference.

Then, astoundingly, they won. At least for now.

A judge's ruling Tuesday forced Nutter to get City Council approval or a court order to implement his plan to save $36 million by 2013 through closing the branches. Nutter called the ruling an assault on the City Charter's strong-mayor form of government and said he would appeal.

Others called it a crucial victory for communities, even a model for civic participation in public policy.

Tom Ferrick at It's Our City wonders if the outrage Mayor Nutter has earned over this issue is worth it and offers an alternative:

Here’s an alternative: Back off on the library issue, Develop a comprehensive plan for meet the economic crisis that involves sacrifice by everyone –taxpayers, vendors, city employees, the mayor and his top staff — and use the upcoming budget address (for fiscal 2010) to begin the process of selling it to the public.

If people feel that everyone is feeling some pain, they won’t resent as much swallowing their piece of it. If people think the administration has really, actually listened to them and their concerns – and taken them into account – then maybe they will go along with the plan.

In other words, admit you made a mistake and go back to the drawing board.

Brendan Calling: Saturday Brimstone

It's Our City: City controller Alan Butkovitz says he has a plan to save the city almost half a billion dollars. City officials called his report more of a publicity stunt than a blueprint for success.

Library Journal.com: Philadelphia Judge Stops Mayor’s Plan To Close 11 Libraries:

In response to two lawsuits—filed by three City Council Members, seven library patrons, and the library staff union—Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Idee Fox today put the brakes on Mayor Michael Nutter’s plan to permanently close 11 branch libraries at the end of the day tomorrow, saying that City Council approval is required.

Coalition to Save the Libraries Statement on Court Victory:

BREAKING NEWS: Judge Idee Fox rules against Mayor Nutter's decision to close branch libraries without the approval of City Council.

Contact: Katrina Clarke misskatrina@mac.com (215) 272-7091
Milena Velis milena.velis@gmail.com (215) 200-3876

The Coalition will sponsor a New Year's Eve celebration of the past, present and future of Philadelphia's libraries at the Kingsessing branch, 51st and Kingsessing, beginning at 3:30 pm, Wednesday, December 31st.

We would like to commend Judge Fox on her decision to issue an injunction halting the library closings. We would also like to congratulate the lawyers and plaintiffs whose hard work helped to bring about this important victory. Most importantly, we recognize the efforts of every resident who spoke at a Town Hall meeting, attended a rally at their library, and was active in their community on this issue. Because of everyone's passion and hard work, we will ring in the New Year with all our beloved libraries open!

This is a victory for every child, senior, and community member who needs the basic services that our Free Libraries provide every day. We look forward to working together with Mayor Nutter and City Council to continue to improve our library services and to ensure that all Philadelphians have access to the education and opportunities that they deserve.

Follow the news over at Young Philly Politics

Library Journal.com: New Twist: Philadelphia Branches Slated for Closing Are De Facto School Libraries

Philadelphia Weekly: City on Skwire: A Southwest Philly Blogger lights a fire under Nutter's ass.

Bookmark Brendan Calling

IS DHS GETTING ANY BETTER?
ON WHYY’S NEXT IT’S OUR CITY TV12 PROGRAM DECEMBER 19:
AN UPDATE FROM COMMISSIONER ON REFORMS
SINCE DANIEAL KELLY DEATH IN 2006 TRIGGERED INDICTMENTS

PHILADELPHIA, December 16, 2008 — The next installment of WHYY’s It’s Our City will feature an interview with the commissioner of Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services (DHS), Anne Marie Ambrose, and conducted by Dave Davies, senior writer for the Philadelphia Daily News, on WHYY TV12 on December 19 at 10:00 p.m.

In the interview, Ambrose addresses the status of DHS’s reform plan in the aftermath of the death of Danieal Kelly, a 14-year-old suffering from cerebral palsy. Kelly’s death in 2006 while under the department’s care led to nine indictments, including two DHS caseworkers. Ambrose discusses DHS’s efforts to improve supervision, first identified as a problem more than 20 years ago. She also discusses a performance management and accountability unit, which is being established. Finally, Ambrose talks about DHS’s efforts to recapture control over the disciplinary process from the union that represents DHS employees.

The episode will also be accessible on the It’s Our City Web site, www.whyy.org/city, on December 20 at noon.

It’s Our City is a multiplatform civic engagement project produced by the award-winning News and Information Service of WHYY, Greater Philadelphia’s leading public broadcasting station, in partnership with the Philadelphia Daily News. Davies regularly fills in for Terry Gross as host of WHYY’s renowned national radio program, Fresh Air, and on WHYY’s regional public affairs call-in show, Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane.

Longtime WHYY producer Alan Tu serves as managing editor of It’s Our City, which premiered in June. Wendy Daughenbaugh is the producer of the TV series.

Funded by The William Penn Foundation, It’s Our City evolved from WHYY’s award-winning The Next Mayor project, which, Philadelphia Magazine said, “managed a neat trick, creating a place where local political junkies can get a fix and the rest of us can get a clue.”