Wireless Philly Costs You Almost $2

Crack Metro reporter Josh Cornfeld continues on the Wireless Philadelphia beat today, which is way more interesting than whatever beat I used to poke fun at him for being on. (I’ve done too many posts — this is post No. 7,338 — to remember what that was.)

He has quite the scoop: Apparently, this whole free wi-fi thing wasn’t all that free for the city. (Shocking.) Ha ha, whoops, it actually has cost the city $2.6 million so far, including lots and lots of consultant fees so Dianah Neff could answer questions on Philly Future. Or something like that. Two-point-six mil would equal somewhere close to $2 a person in this city. (I don’t understand finances.)

Aside from the loan, the city has also paid technology consulting company Strategic Staffing Solutions $571,279 since 2004 and $463,000 to Civitium. Civitium has since hired Dianah Neff, who proposed the network as Street’s Chief Information Officer.

While Earthlink apparently wants to pull out, Wireless Philadelphia is going to go kicking and screaming to the grave, it seems, or possibly rise again like the Phoenix.

How Much Green Will Ryan Howard Get?

Inquirer Phillies beat writer Todd Zolecki — one of my fave local beat guys — writes today about the Phillies and Ryan Howard. While the Phils made deals with Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson, the 2006 MVP remains unsigned and has filed for salary arbitration. (Don’t worry; he can’t become a free agent ’til 2011.)

Howard’s agent and the Phillies were unable to reach an agreement last year on a long-term deal, so the club re-upped him for a cool $900,000. Although roughly $950,000 less than I make, Howard wasn’t all that happy with the deal of playing baseball for just under a million. He came into camp overweight and had a bit of a disappointing season, I guess, although he still hit 47 homers. (He also set the MLB strikeout record with 199.)

Howard could get around $7 million to play for the Phillies this year, Zolecki guesses any long-term deal would have to be better than Chase Utley’s seven-year, $85 million deal and Albert Pujols’ seven-year, $100 million contract. Maybe Howard can stuff his face full of money so he won’t say “It is what it is” ever again. Ditto Kyle Kendrick. At this point, the only way to stop sports stars from saying “It is what it is” might be to pay them.

In other Phillies news, John Kruk is going to be on Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

Philadelphia’s Finances Not Quite In Order

Turns out the City of Philadelphia has owes an average of $5,000 per resident, something Standard & Poor’s rating system rates as “very high.” Oh, and the city just borrowed $200 million, and future budgets are based on casino revenues, which are coming who knows when.

And the reason: Why, the local sports teams, which rake in millions but forced taxpayers to help build new stadiums. Of course, you don’t need a hackneyed journey down that road, but let’s ask: If we’re going to pay for your stadium, could you re-sign Aaron Rowand?

Or, actually, pitching. Pitching would be nice. Let’s not get started on the Eagles.

Phila-debt-ia [Philly, Inc.]
Jim Salisbury | Chances of Rowand staying with Phils remote [Inquirer]

Another Tale Of Milton Street Woe

Hey, errbody, Milton’s back! Well, not really, actually; Gar Joseph just has a report about him in today’s Clout.

Hey, Milton didn’t even pay Richard Riley the promised $100 for working 14 hours at the polls on Election Day. Street was a City Council at-large candidate.

Riley, 66, lives in the Opportunity Towers senior high-rise in North Philly.

The day before the May primary, Street aide Tony Hudson dropped by and recruited Riley and a pal, Tony Whitfield, to hand out brochures at the polls the next day. He promised them $100 each.

At the end of the 14-hour day, in which Riley didn’t even get the usual free sandwich, nobody showed up to pay him.

Said Riley: “I think it’s a sham. We did a long, hard day’s work. He just used us.”

Hudson, meanwhile, said, “I don’t think anybody got paid. He ain’t by himself on that. There was no money.”

You know, I feel bad for those who got stiffed, but, I mean, if you’re working for Milton Street, you pretty much know you ain’t getting paid.

Milton stiffs a senior [Daily News, 2nd item]

Dragonfire Reborn As Oblique Publication

Hey, Drexel is bringing back the online journal Dragonfire, only now it’s going to be called The Smart Set. And, it’s going to be, ah, a little vague, I think. As a service to any unemployed media members reading this site, here’s some of the post on Mediabistro (Thanks, Amara!):

Remember that thing? You know, that thing that you did? Or else that thing that that other person(s) did? That thing you’ve been replaying in your head for the past 10 years, or maybe the past 24 hours? Anyway, that thing that seems to explain a lot of things? Or at least explains something?

What about that idea? You know the one. The one that really makes you happy when you think about it? Or else it really pisses you off? Or maybe it confuses you? Anyway, that idea that always surprises you when you think about it, or maybe even makes you think about other things that are also important?

How about that place? You know, that place you haven’t returned to in a long time? Or else that place you just returned from a few weeks ago? Anyway, that place where something happened? That place that changed the way you think about that person or that thing or that idea? Or yourself?

Well, if you’ve finally written an essay about that thing, or that idea, or that place–or you’re considering writing an essay about it–please send it along to the new online magazine that we are launching this
summer. We would perhaps like publish it.

Ugh, I hate when these things are so vague you don’t really even know what’s going on and… wait, what?

We pay, by the way. $500-$750, depending on length and other factors.

Never mind, this is the most direct freelance writing posting I’ve ever read. I mean, compare it to the Bulletin’s.

Freelance essayists [Mediabistro, reg. required]
July 10: All Work And No Pay Makes Jack A Dull Boy

School Officials Don’t Eat Cafeteria Food

As we all know, whenever an official is accused of spending too much public money on something, the official returns fire with something about how the $50,000 he or she spent on giant marionettes was actually a very important public service. Such i the case with James Nevels, head of the Philadelphia School Reform Commission, who has spent over $15 grand on the SRC credit card on meals since 2004.

In this case, Nevels couldn’t be reached for comment, but his associates told lies for him anyway.

“All of these expenses have been audited by [City Controller] Alan Butkovitz,” Carey Dearnley, the commission’s spokeswoman, said yesterday.

“Yes, Alan Butkovitz got all of it, pored through it, and tried to find something out of line, and didn’t. He didn’t disapprove,” concurred commission Chief of Staff Frank Siefert.

Reached at home last night, Butkovitz said that although he has asked, he has not been provided with any commission members’ credit-card statements.

On the plus side, we can be happy he’s not slumming it at Perkins or anything.

“Those aren’t people who do business at IHOP,” Dearnley said. “This is where business is done in this city.”

I know. Morning Glory for breakfast, baby!

Nevels’ wining & dining: 15G+ [Daily News]

Smokin’ Joe Sues Papers-Hoardin’ Jackie

Like Bill Cosby, former heavyweight boxing champ Joe Frazier is one of the many beloved Philadelphians who became ridiculously grumpy old men once they became, ah, old men. Frazier’s in the news again because he’s returning to boxing to fight Muhammad Ali.

Well, okay, not really. But he is suing his daughter, Jackie Frazier-Lyde, a former heavyweight champion herself and candidate for judge next month.

Frazier’s suit says his daughter hasn’t returned his business records and, although Smokin’ Joe still “loves his daughter,” he wants his papers back. These include, of course, “documents, contracts, agreements, photos, films, memorabilia, recordings, archives, correspondence, material, writings, deeds and other interests related to efforts to market his image.”

If you’re wondering, yes, this lawsuit is all about Joe Frazier not making enough money. And if you needed more evidence, here’s his lawyer: “Joe doesn’t think he’s making what he thinks he should be making.” Joe’s lawyer, Michael P. Kelly, is also a former boxer.

It’s reassuring to know boxers settle their not by fighting, but by doing it the way good Americans do: Sue the pants off each other.

Frazier hits a daughter with lawsuit [Inquirer]

Democrats Wasting Money Faster Than Republicans

Hey! Do you know much aides in state government make? If you’re reading this blog, there’s a good chance they make more than you! (Note to potential advertisers: This is a joke. The average income of a Philadelphia Will Do reader is approximately $200,000, all of it in disposable income.)

Figures released yesterday show the Democrats, surprise surprise, pay their employees more than the Republicans do. The Republicans, on the other hand, make their employees work Christmas Eve and don’t give them health insurance, leading to the death of 17 children named Tiny Tim. Also all of the Democratic employees are illegal immigrants.

House Democratic employees are costing taxpayers $34.5 million a year for their 835 employees, with an average salary of $41,261.

House Republicans, on the other hand, are spending $30.9 million on payroll annually for their 839 employees, with an average salary of $36,912.

House Democrats handed out $1,854,505 in bonuses last year to employees, nearly seven times higher than House Republicans’ $269,661.

The difference was reversed in 2005, when House Republicans handed out $649,661 in employee bonuses, compared with House Democrats’ lesser $468,271.

You know, the Republicans have done a nice job of winning the spending (or, if you wish, wasting) money war on the national level. But it’s good to see that, at least in this state, the Democrats are still on top of their game. My philosophy is: The more the government spends money, the funnier it gets. So, really, these totals can only mean good things for this blog.

House Democrats paying staff more than Republicans [Bucks County Courier Times]

Fix My Car Or I’ll Put Up Magnetic Signs!

When I was in high school, I used to drive by this couple almost every day that would stand out front of a store with sandwichboards on, urging people not to shop there. “Refund my $500, Andalusia Television,” the one sign said (something like that, at least). “Don’t shop at Andalusia TV,” read the other. I can only assume that, unless Andalusia TV refunded their $500, the old couple is still there, still asking for $500, still urging people not to get their TVs repaired — if people still do, indeed, get their televisions repaired — at Andalusia TV.

Point is, people go a little over-the-top when they think somebody cheated them out of money. Such is the case with Jim Broomell, who hates Cherry Hill Dodge so much he’s affixed magnetic signs on his truck saying “Cherry Hill Dodge Sucks.” He even has a website dedicated to hating Cherry Hill Dodge, available at the easy-to-remember URL cherryhilltriplexscrewedmesuedmeandlost.com.

And, indeed, Cherry Hill Dodge — aka Cherry Hill Triplex — did sue Jim Broomell for putting those signs on the side of his truck, and did indeed lose after the lawsuit was thrown out on a technicality.

The story, recounted with more patience that I’d be able to muster by the Inky’s Troy Graham, goes like this: Broomell bought a used truck, which faltered. Broomell filed a lemon-law suit and got a nice warranty out of it. When he took it to Cherry Hill Dodge, they refused to work on it. He then sued, but the case was later thrown out.

Cherry Hill Dodge’s lawyer says Broomell was “yelling and screaming at people”, they were tired of dealing with him, so they didn’t work on his car. But after his lawsuit was thrown out, he put the magnetic stickers on his truck — and then the dealership sued him, accusing him of hurting the business with his signs.

Now that the case has been thrown out, Broomell is considering suing them again, this time for court costs, about $500. (He’s been acting as his own lawyer.)

Here’s Broomell’s summary on his website:

I bought a truck there with a warranty. I had problems with the truck shaking at 60+ mph. I took it to “my selling dealer” while it was under warranty. The mechanics at Cherry Hill Triplex couldn’t figure out what was wrong with the truck so Cherry Hill Triplex told me they were not going to work on it anymore. I told them I would drive around with these signs if they didn’t fix it! So I did, as well as told my story to several websites. Cherry Hill Triplex responded by suing me - a customer of theirs! I represented myself against their big corporate firm Capehart and Scatchard. In fact, the opposing attorney, Laura Ruccolo, was rated one of “SJ’s Top Attorneys” on page 41 of the August issue of SJ Magazine. (Editor’s Note: Sounds like someone doesn’t understand how those “South Jersey’s Top Attorneys” promotions work!)

Ahh, yes, the old “fix my car or I’ll put big giant magnetic signs on my truck” angle. Well, hey, I suppose it worked, though I can’t fathom getting upset enough about anything to put signs on my car about it. But, hey, that’s why I’m an amused observer of this saga rather than a participant. Keep it up, Jim! Maybe you can lease out the rest of your truck to other people who hate certain businesses. You could be a one-man traveling hate machine! Think about it.

Needless to say, he also started his own Google Group called “Cherry Hill Triplex Sucks.”

The Internet as battleground of free speech [Inquirer]
cherryhilltriplexscrewedmesuedmeandlost.com

DiCicco: It’s Irresponsible Not To Waste Money

When we last heard from City Councilman Frank DiCicco (right), he was complaining that the federal government put him in Vince Fumo’s indictment just because he accepted free work from Fumo’s people even though they were being paid by Citizens Alliance to, say, put in floors in a house he bought. Wah, wah, he said, the government is just trying to make their indictment sexier.

Well, yesterday, DiCicco was leading the charge in City Council against the casinos, hoping to thwart or delay their arrival and to make sure his constituents re-elect him come May. Casino Free Philadelphia sponsored a petition with 27,000 signatures saying we shouldn’t have casinos.

The problem is, of course, that many of these proposals — such as the one banning all casinos from the city, the one letting residents vote on the casino proposals or the one that bans all casinos that rhyme with “Box Goods” and “Booger Mouse” — won’t stand up in court.

City Solicitor Romulo L. Diaz Jr. warned that approval of anti-casino measures by City Council would only delay the arrival of the casinos, cost the city money in legal fees, and possibly sacrifice whatever zoning power the city now enjoys over the casino sites.

“The city’s powers in this regard are limited,” Diaz said at yesterday’s hearing. “We must respect the Gaming Control Board’s licensing decision, or else we will face almost certain defeat in the courts and inevitably will lose any local land use control.”

Of course, DiCicco wasn’t having any of it.

Diaz: “It is my conclusion that such a bill would be most likely struck down by the courts.”

DiCicco: “To take the position that we just basically have to roll over on this one and agree that we’re going to lose in court and, therefore, let’s not do these bills, I think is irresponsible.”

DiCicco added, “It is a long tradition of City Council — indeed, all government! — to waste money on futile projects. Why not waste money on something that not only is something many people would like us to do but could also get me re-elected? If we can’t waste money on this sensible proposal than, I ask, what can we waste money on?”

City Council was so impressed they agreed to vote on the proposals next month.

Public vote on casinos is discussed [Inquirer]
Feb. 8: DiCicco Too Sexy For This Federal Indictment