State judge's ruling will end fight over sale of Harrisburg's Wild West artifacts | PennLive.com

State judge's ruling will end fight over sale of Harrisburg's Wild West artifacts | PennLive.com

Philadelphia man dies during 9-hour standoff with Harrisburg police | PennLive.com

BY MATTHEW KEMENY AND DONALD GILLILAND

A suspect who holed up in Harrisburg’s Hall Manor during a standoff with police that lasted more than nine hours was found dead in the apartment early today.

The body Abel Roman, 24, was found shortly before 12:30 a.m. with at least a shotgun and a “fair amount of ammunition,” Dauphin County District Attorney Edward M. Marsico Jr. said....Read more

The PATRIOT-NEWS Police prepare to send a robot into a home in the Hall Manor section of Harrisburg where a homicide suspect from Philadelphia was firing at them. 12/17/2012 SEAN SIMMERS, THE PATRIOT-NEWS

 

Former lawmakers keep Pa. benefits in new jobs - abc27 WHTM

Former lawmakers keep Pa. benefits in new jobs - abc27 WHTM

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A state legislator charged with drunken-driving and assaulting his wife will stay on the House payroll and retain his state health and pension benefits...Full story

Mayor Linda Thompson's 2013 Budget Presentation - Today's The Day Harrisburg

Mayor Linda Thompson's 2013 Budget Presentation - Today's The Day Harrisburg

Mayor Linda Thompson’s 2013 Budget Presentation: 

UPDATED

By Tara Leo Auchey | 11.28.12

This article has been updated to provide a link to the 2013 Budget, accessible in blue at the end of this article.

“2012 is the year of clarity.”

That is Linda Thompson’s theme as she enters her fourth year of her first term as Mayor of the City of Harrisburg. Last night she presented her third budget of her tenure. The Thompson Administration’s 2013 Budget is $56,365,315, an increase of about $2 million from the 2012 Budget. Thompson proclaimed the increase costs are a result of new hires the City will need to make, such as positions in the Bureau of Finance, police officers, code enforcement officers, and though she didn’t highlight it, a Communications Director. The Mayor’s Budget includes a Policy/Communications Director position with a salary of $70,000. She declared she has the blessing of the Receiver who reviewed her budget and agrees with “its premises & rationale.” In fact, throughout her speech, the Mayor referred to her adherence to the Receiver’s Recovery Plan to justify her proposed Budget.
As she has in past budget presentations, Thompson called her budget bared-boned. Looking at City Council, she said, “I ask that you not reduce this budget.”
Every year since she has been Mayor, City Council has reduced Thompson’s budgets. Perhaps in anticipation of this, she made a remark that things must be done differently, that everyone must work together, and that cuts cannot be made arbitrarily or by percentages.
City Council Budget and Finance Committee, Brad Koplinski Chair, begins its review of the 2013 Budget on Wednesday, December 5th at 5;30pm. As of now, a Budget vote is scheduled for December 18th during a Special Legislative Session at 6:00pm. Thus, between the 5th and the 18th, several public meetings will occur to go line by line over the Budget.
The Budget has not been made publicly accessible, so specific line item proposals are not known, but here are a few of the Mayor’s presentation proclamations and points to note:

• Liquidation of city assets with Court approval can be expected by 3rd quarter of 2013
• Forecasting net revenues to be $53.2M in 2013
• Current expenditures are at $56.4M
• Anticipating $3.1M deficit in 2012
• The plan is to eliminate Incinerator debt, eliminate stranded debt, and balance the budget at the end of 2013
• “The Administration has carefully reviewed this budget, department by department and we have eliminated any costs not essential to City operations and the efficient delivery of public services as well as complying with the fiscal recovery plan.”
• 10% personnel and operating costs reduction
• 20% city jobs eliminated
• “We cannot currently cut this budget any further without operationally affecting the services to the City.”
• Utility transfers and the Coordinated Parking Fund transfers are down
• The land value of tax exempt properties in the City is $227,108,200, and the value of tax exempt buildings is $1.3B
• Budget challenges are lack of revenues, unfunded mandates, union legacy costs, fee generating legislation that City Council needs to pass
• The Administration will roll out a “fee reorganization plan” with estimated revenue increase of $100,000
• The City is looking into outsourcing various services such as the phone system and trash removal
• Currently there are 131 police officers compared to 171 in 2010
• 8 officers must be hired in January to maintain a grant with more to be hired by mid 2013
• Hiring of 9 firefighters in 2012 has resulted in a savings of $60,000 per pay period
• Maintaining the City’s public station, HGBTV Channel 20, is crucial because it provides educational programming
• Two more code enforcement officers expected to be hired in 2013
• The Department of Parks, Recreation, and Enrichment encompasses “the Mayor’s guiding principles.”
• The City of Harrisburg exhibits “world class customer service & [is] an employer of choice.”

See: 2013 Thompson Administration Proposed Budget

 For the full story go to: http://www.todaysthedayhbg.com/mayor-linda-thompsons-2013-budget-presentation/

Longtime GOP Senate moderate Arlen Specter dies

Longtime GOP Senate moderate Arlen Specter dies 

FILE - In this Monday, March 29, 2010, file photo, Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., leads a Senate field hearing, in Philadelphia. Former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, longtime Senate moderate and architect of one-bullet theory in JFK death, died Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. He was 82.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- For most of his 30 years as Pennsylvania's longest-serving U.S. senator and prominent moderate in Congress, Arlen Specter was a Republican, though often at odds with the GOP leadership.

He helped end the Supreme Court hopes of former federal appeals Judge Robert H. Bork, who was nominated by President Ronald Reagan. Decades later, he was one of only three Republicans in Congress to vote for President Barack Obama's economic stimulus.

His breaks with his party were hardly a surprise: He had begun his political career as a Democrat and ended it as one, too.

In between, he was at the heart of several major American political events. He rose to prominence in the 1960s as an assistant counsel to the Warren Commission, developing the single-bullet theory in President John F. Kennedy's assassination. He came to the Senate in the Reagan landslide of 1980 and was a key voice in the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of both Bork and Clarence Thomas.

Specter died Sunday died at his home in Philadelphia from complications of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, said his son Shanin. He was 82. Over the years, Specter had fought two previous bouts with Hodgkin lymphoma, overcome a brain tumor and survived cardiac arrest following bypass surgery.

Intellectual and stubborn, Specter took the lead on a wide spectrum of issues and was no stranger to controversy.

In one of his last major political acts, Specter startled fellow senators in April 2009 when he announced he was joining the Democrats. He said he was "increasingly at odds with the Republican philosophy," though he said the Democrats could not count on him to be "an automatic 60th vote" that would give them a filibuster-proof majority.

He had also concluded that he was unlikely to win a sixth term as a Republican, and his frankness about why he returned to the Democratic Party was packaged in a powerful TV ad by his primary opponent, then-U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, who hammered away at the incumbent as a political opportunist.

"My change in party will enable me to be re-elected," Specter says in TV news footage used in the ad.

The announcer ends the ad saying, "Arlen Specter changed parties to save one job - his, not yours."

Democrats picked Sestak, a retired Navy vice admiral, over Specter in the 2010 primary, ending his decades of service. Sestak lost Specter's seat to conservative Republican Rep. Pat Toomey in the general election by 2 percentage points.

Specter rose to prominence in the 1960s as an aggressive Philadelphia prosecutor and during his time on the Warren Commission.

In 1987, Specter helped thwart Bork's nomination to the Supreme Court, earning him conservative enemies who still bitterly refer to such denials as being "borked." But four years later, Specter was criticized by liberals for his tough questioning of Anita Hill at Thomas' Supreme Court nomination hearings and for accusing her of committing "flat-out perjury." The interrogation, televised nationally, incensed women's groups and nearly cost him his seat in 1992.

Specter took credit for helping to defeat President Bill Clinton's national health care plan - the complexities of which he highlighted in a gigantic chart that hung on his office wall for years afterward - and helped lead the investigation into Gulf War syndrome, the name given to a collection of symptoms experienced by veterans of the war that include fatigue, memory loss, pain and difficulty sleeping. And following the Iran-Contra scandal, Specter pushed legislation that created the inspectors general of the CIA, which later exposed Aldrich Ames as a Soviet spy.

But he was not afraid to buck his fellow Republicans.

As a senior member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, Specter pushed for increased funding for stem-cell research, breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease, and supported several labor-backed initiatives in a GOP-led Congress. He also doggedly sought federal funds for local projects in his home state.

In 1995, he launched a presidential bid, denouncing religious conservatives as the "fringe" that plays too large a role in setting the party's agenda. Specter, who was Jewish, bowed out before the first primary because of lackluster fundraising.

Specter's irascible independence caught up with him in 2004. He barely survived a GOP primary challenge from Toomey by 17,000 votes of more than 1.4 million cast. He went on to easily win the general election with the help of organized labor, a traditionally Democratic constituency.

Specter was diagnosed in 2005 with stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. Announcing the diagnosis with his trademark doggedness, Specter said: "I have beaten a brain tumor, bypass heart surgery and many tough political opponents and I'm going to beat this, too."

"Arlen Specter was always a fighter," Obama said in a statement Sunday. "From his days stamping out corruption as a prosecutor in Philadelphia to his three decades of service in the Senate, Arlen was fiercely independent - never putting party or ideology ahead of the people he was chosen to serve. He brought that same toughness and determination to his personal struggles."

Specter wrote of his illness in a 2008 book, "Never Give In: Battling Cancer in the Senate," saying he wanted to let others facing similar crises "ought to know they are not alone."

Cancer handed him "a stark look at mortality" and an "added sense of humility," Specter told The Associated Press.

Born in Wichita, Kan., on Feb. 12, 1930, Specter spent summers toiling in his father's junkyard in Russell, Kan., where he knew another future senator - Bob Dole. The junkyard thrived during World War II, allowing Specter's father to send his four children to college.

Specter left Kansas for college in 1947 because the University of Kansas, where his best friends were headed, did not have Jewish fraternities. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1951 and Yale law school in 1956. He served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1953.

Friends say his childhood circumstances made him determined, tough and independent-minded. Specter considered his father's triumphs the embodiment of the American dream, a fulfillment that friends say drove him to a career in public life.

He entered politics as a Democrat in Philadelphia in the early 1960s, when he was an assistant district attorney who sent six Teamsters officials to jail for union corruption.

Working on the Warren Commission in 1964, Specter was the chief author of the theory that a single bullet had hit both Kennedy and Texas Gov. John Connally, an assumption critical to the conclusion that presidential assassin Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. The theory remains controversial and was the subject of ridicule in Oliver Stone's 1991 movie "JFK."

After working on the Warren Commission, he returned to Philadelphia and challenged his boss, James Crumlish, for district attorney in 1965. Specter ran as a Republican and was derided by Crumlish as "Benedict Arlen." But Crumlish lost to his protege by 36,000 votes.

Specter lost re-election as district attorney in 1973 and went into private practice. Among his most notorious clients as a private attorney was Ira Einhorn, a Philadelphia counterculture celebrity who killed his girlfriend in 1977.

Finally, in 1980, Specter won the Senate seat vacated by retiring Republican Richard Schweiker, defeating former Pittsburgh Mayor Pete Flaherty.

After leaving the Senate in January 2011, the University of Pennsylvania Law School said Specter would teach a course about Congress' relationship with the Supreme Court, and Maryland Public Television launched a political-affairs show hosted by the former senator.

He also occasionally performed standup comedy at clubs in Philadelphia and New York. He played squash nearly every day into his mid-70s and liked to unwind with a martini or two at night.

A funeral was scheduled for Tuesday in Penn Valley, Pa., and will be open to the public, followed by burial in Huntingdon Valley, Pa.

Specter is survived by his wife, Joan, and two sons, Shanin and Steve, and four granddaughters.

EXCLUSIVE : Federal Grand Jury investigating Harrisburg financial crisis

EXCLUSIVE : Federal Grand Jury investigating Harrisburg financial crisis

Renowned civil-rights attorney, Don Bailey to join the race for Attorney General in Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, Pa - "The Citizen's Reform Center met with Attorney Don Bailey recently. This interview provides an intimate glimpse inside the mind of the renowned civil-rights attorney, covering his tremendous amount of service and dedication for this country, the Constitution, and its citizens over the years. The most decorated war veteran during the 97th U.S. Congress, Don Bailey discusses his days in Vietnam, his service in the U.S. House of Representatives, his time as Auditor General of Pennsylvania, judicial misconduct, corruption within Pennsylvania and the Federal Government, and what ultimately led him to practice law."

Don Bailey is a fighting back. He is currently running for Attorney General and is not afraid to take on the DemoPublicans. He is running as an Independent and has been under attack by the powers that be. Why settle for the "lesser of 2 evils" when there is someone out there who stands for the principles espoused by the US Constitution? He is the only choice for Attorney General if the people of Pennsylvania even begin to stand a chance at achieving justice for all.

Publish Post

Harrisburg Mayor Receives Threatening Letters - Pennsylvania News Story - WGAL The Susquehanna Valley

Harrisburg Mayor Receives Threatening Letters - Pennsylvania News Story - WGAL The Susquehanna Valley

Harrisburg Mayor-elect Linda Thompson's inaugural ball expected to draw hundreds | Breaking Midstate News...

Harrisburg Mayor-elect Linda Thompson's inaugural ball expected to draw hundreds | Breaking Midstate News...: "Harrisburg Mayor-elect Linda Thompson's inaugural ball expected to draw hundreds
By DAN MILLER, The Patriot-News

January 02, 2010, 12:00AM"

Pennsylvania legislative pay raises, Harrisburg mayor's race among decade's top political stories | Breaking Midstate News ...

Pennsylvania legislative pay raises, Harrisburg mayor's race among decade's top political stories | Breaking Midstate News with The Patriot-News -: "Pennsylvania legislative pay raises, Harrisburg mayor's race among decade's top political stories
By The Patriot-News
January 01, 2010, 12:00AM

The state Capitol received many visits from protesters, angry voters and a pink pig. A short-lived hefty pay raise for state officials in 2005 prompted a political backlash that hadn’t been seen in Harrisburg for years. Today, The Patriot-News continues its review of the decade’s top stories with a look at the biggest stories in politics and government. The scandal known as Bonusgate emerged, a story that will continue to unfold in the year ahead. Ed Rendell pursued an ambitious agenda as governor, and the longest-serving senator in Pennsylvania’s history switched parties. The past 10 years have shown quite clearly that in politics, nothing lasts forever, as Rick Santorum, Stephen R. Reed, and a host of state lawmakers learned."

Sean Simmers, The Patriot-News/file 

Petitions against the Legislative pay raise with 123,000 signatures are rolled out on the Capitol steps in Harrisburg during the "Rock the Capitol" rally. A crowd estimated in the thousands turned out to protest the 2005 pay raises given to lawmakers, judges and other state officials.


2005 PAY RAISE

The massively unpopular pay raise for state lawmakers and other top state officials was rescinded four months after it took effect. The backlash lasted far longer. And it still resonates. The 2005 pay raise engendered a huge outcry for many reasons. Many saw the size of the raises — 11 percent to 54 percent — as an insult to hard-working taxpayers. But to make it more toxic, the vote took place at 2 a.m. on an early July morning without any public debate. And then lawmakers began their summer vacation. Some lawmakers earned a more permanent vacation. Fanned by grass-roots groups, enraged voters ousted two dozen state lawmakers in the 2006 election, and 29 more decided to retire. The 2005 pay raise illustrated an important lesson for lawmakers: Push voters far enough, and they’ll push you out the door.

 
The Patriot-News/fileGov. Ed Rendell and members of the House and Senate announced they had come to a budget deal on Friday, Sept. 18, 2009.

 GOV. ED RENDELL

Through much of his two terms as the state’s governor, Ed Rendell showed why he earned the nickname “Teflon Ed.” Early in his administration, the Democratic governor raised the state’s income tax to deal with a deficit. He signed the law giving state legislators and top officials the much-reviled pay raise. Still, Rendell largely escaped the public wrath. Rendell easily won re-election in 2006, defeating Lynn Swann, the Pittsburgh Steelers legend. Rendell has won big increases in school spending. He has expanded prescription drug benefits to seniors, and Rendell signed the state’s slots gaming law, bringing casinos to Pennsylvania. He won approval to raise the state’s minimum wage well before the federal government did so. But Rendell earned criticism from the GOP, who accused the governor of pushing spending increases that couldn’t be sustained as the economy slowed. He has only one year left as governor — he cannot run for re-election.

The Patriot-News/filePennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announces a round of criminal charges in the so-called Bonusgate investigation of the state Legislature.

BONUSGATE

In January 2007, a state House Democratic staffer told The Patriot-News Capitol Bureau that staffers were receiving secret bonus payments. That tip triggered a series of Patriot-News stories, and helped spark the investigation that became known as Bonusgate. State Attorney General Tom Corbett began a probe into whether any bonuses were rewards for campaign work. To date, 25 people have been charged with misusing taxpayer money and resources for re-election campaigns. Two former state House Speakers have been indicted: state Rep. John Perzel, R-Philadelphia and state Rep. H. William DeWeese, D-Greene. Three former state House members, all Democrats, have been charged: Mike Veon, Sean Ramaley, and Stephen Stetler. In the first Bonusgate case to go to trial, a Dauphin County Court jury found Ramaley not guilty. More arrests could be coming, Corbett says.

Gary Dwight Miller, The Patriot-News/fileFormer U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum

 SANTORUM DEFEATED

Rick Santorum emerged as a hero in the national GOP. A favorite of many conservatives, he spoke loudly about his opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. He became the No. 3 man in the U.S. Senate. By 2006, Bob Casey Jr. bounced him from the Senate. In Casey, Santorum found an opponent who could neutralize some of his advantages with “values voters.” Casey opposes abortion rights. Although critics called him incendiary, Santorum won praise from fans and even some foes for his willingness to speak his mind without fear of how it would play. He has acknowledged an interest in running for president in 2012, and has been making appearances in the early primary states.

The Patriot-News/fileSen. Arlen Specter, D-Pennsylvania, answered questions at a town hall meeting in August 2009 in Lebanon, Pa., at HACC's Lebanon Campus. The senator took 30 questions from many who oppose health care reform. Hundreds lined up outside HACC Lebanon Campus, but only 250 people were allowed to enter the building.

 ARLEN SPECTER

To becomes Pennsylvania’s longest-serving senator, Arlen Specter overcame a host of serious challenges. He faces more challenges in keeping his seat. Specter survived two bouts of cancer. He described his cancer battle in a best-selling memoir. And he narrowly defeated Pat Toomey, the former Lehigh Valley congressman, in the 2004 GOP Senate primary (he cruised to victory in the general election). Early in 2009, Specter proved once again to be a major player in key legislation, including this year’s stimulus package. The fallout from the vote prompted the longtime Republican to switch parties and cast his lot with the Democrats when it became clear he’d lose a GOP primary battle with Toomey. But Specter found that a party switch doesn’t necessarily mean a guaranteed victory. He faces a strong challenge from U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak in the Democratic Senate primary next year, and he may have to square off against Toomey again in November.

CHRIS KNIGHT, The Patriot-News/fileLong time supporter Donald Donagher, of Mechanicsburg, right, puts his hands on the shoulders of Mayor Stephen R. Reed, as he concedes the Democratic primary to City Councilwoman Linda Thompson, at the Elks Club in Harrisburg Tuesday, May 19, 2009. 

 STEPHEN REED LOSES

Most of the members of the Harrisburg Senators weren’t alive when Stephen R. Reed became mayor of Harrisburg. So perhaps it’s understandable that Reed would think that he wouldn’t have to do much campaigning as he sought an eighth term. Still, Linda Thompson’s victory over Reed in the 2008 Democratic primary was a shock. For years, Reed easily had won re-election. Even in his 2005 campaign, when he ran amidst criticism for spending on Wild West artifacts on a museum that would never happen, Reed cruised to a comfortable re-election. And unlike prior years, Reed didn’t have his typical safety net in winning the GOP primary. Nevin Mindlin secured the Republican nomination, sealing the end of Reed’s seven-term run. The man who helped bring private developers, Restaurant Row, and yes, the Harrisburg Senators, is leaving office, and the city is vastly different because of him.

JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-News/fileFormer Gov. Tom Ridge stopped by the Barnes & Noble in Camp Hill in September to promote his new book.

 TOM RIDGE

Tom Ridge was in the midst of his second term as governor when President George W. Bush tapped Ridge to serve as his homeland security chief after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. The Republican from Erie presided over an overhaul of the federal government involving many agencies and 180,000 employees. Ridge’s color scheme for terror alerts became a late-night punchline. But when he decided to step down late in 2004, Ridge left with one distinction he dearly wanted: there were no major attacks on American soil during his time on the job. There was much speculation that John McCain, Ridge’s longtime friend, would tap him as his running mate in the 2008 presidential election. Instead, McCain went with Sarah Palin. In a book published earlier this year, Ridge recounts disagreeing with some Bush administration officials about the need to raise terror alerts and questioned if they were politically motivated. But Ridge maintained no such pressure came from President Bush. Some speculate about a 2012 presidential run, and he was unusually coy about such a possibility in a CNN interview this year.

The Patriot-News/2007Former Pennsylvania legislator Tom Druce

 TOM DRUCE

Tom Druce, then a state representative from Bucks County and a rising star, was involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed Kenneth Cains in Harrisburg in 1999. In September 2000, Druce pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of a fatal accident, tampering with evidence and insurance fraud. He resigned his House seat. But Druce spent years appealing his 2- to 4-year prison sentence. As he remained free on bail, the criticism from some in the city grew, as many criticized a justice system that, in their view, protected the privileged. Druce began his jail term in May 2004, serving his sentence at Laurel Highlands, a minimum security prison in Somerset County. He was released in March 2006.

PHEAA AND RESORTS

The board members of the state’s student aid agency held retreats at a host of pricey resorts. After a series of reports in The Patriot-News, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency would undergo sweeping changes. The newspaper found that PHEAA spent more than $860,000 for six board retreats at resorts between 2000 and 2005. And the agency spent more than $2.2 million on promotional giveaways between 2003 and 2007, even after Gov. Ed Rendell issued a memo saying he wanted to put an end to buying novelty items such as rubber ducks and T-shirts with PHEAA names on them. Dick Willey, the CEO during that time, would resign amidst growing criticism from the Rendell administration, and the board would gain new leadership. The governor became further irritated after learning that the agency spent $409,000 on a legal fight with The Patriot-News and other media organizations to block the disclosure of expenses related to the retreats. The Commonwealth Court ordered the agency to pay The Patriot-News’ legal fees.

The Patriot-News/2008A memorial for the late Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll is placed at the Rotunda in the Capitol in Harrisburg on Nov. 13, 2008. Gary Dwight Miller, The Patriot-News 

 DEATH OF CATHERINE BAKER KNOLL

Catherine Baker Knoll became the first woman to become Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor. Immensely popular in western Pennsylvania, Gov. Ed Rendell’s decision to add her to his ticket was seen as an astute move in locking up his election. She died last year at age 78 after battling cancer. State Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, a Republican, assumed the lieutenant governor’s post after Knoll’s passing. With Scarnati’s ascension, it marked the first time in Pennsylvania history that the governor and lieutenant governor are members of different parties.

Politicians leave gaps in Harrisburg Mayor-elect Linda Thompson's inaugural ball's guest list

By SHARON SMITH, The Patriot-News

Whether residents like the new mayor or not,  Harrisburg Mayor-elect Linda Thompson’s inaugural ball will be a historic occasion. The inaugural ball, a tradition in American politics, is a time to note the significance of the moment, said G. Terry Madonna, a Franklin & Marshall College political analyst.  "I think it’s a moment everyone in the city can pause from the routine politics," Madonna said. "It’s not like all of a sudden you say, ‘Linda, now everything you want to do, I am on board with.’ Put politics at the front door and celebrate the moment."

It remains to be seen whether some of the city’s most politically influential will do that. Many politicians were planning to be no-shows, claiming prior commitments.

On Monday, Thompson will become the first black woman to lead the city. Her inaugural ball, which will feature five bands, will be held at the Farm Show Complex’s Northwest Expo Center. The price of admission is $100 a ticket.

The ball and other inaugural events are being paid for with private donations, in-kind contributions and ticket sales, said Abe Amoros, a spokesman for Thompson’s inaugural committee.

"Not a single dime of taxpayer dollars is being used," he said.

The series of inaugural events, starting Saturday and wrapping up on Wednesday, cost about $75,000, Amoros said. The ball costs $50,000 to $60,000. The committee organizing the event expects that 500 to 600 people will attend.

Amoros made it clear that the money will not go into Thompson’s campaign coffers.  The $100 ticket price is not uncommon for inaugural balls, Amoros said.

Gov. Ed Rendell’s last inaugural ball, in 2007, cost $100 per person and featured rock star Jon Bon Jovi.

Amoros, who once worked for outgoing York Mayor John Brenner, said both of Brenner’s inaugural balls also cost around $100 a ticket.

The cost wasn’t the reason that some politicians said they couldn’t attend.   Dauphin County Commissioners George Hartwick III, a Democrat, and Nick DiFrancesco, a Republican, are committed to other events that evening, wrote Diane McNaughton, a county spokeswoman. It’s unclear if Republican Commissioner Jeff Haste plans to attend.  Republican Nevin Mindlin, whom Thompson beat in the election, also does not plan to attend the ball. He said he has other commitments.

Outgoing Mayor Stephen R. Reed, whom Thompson beat in the May Democratic primary to end his 28-year run as the city’s CEO, also will not attend. He also cited prior commitments.

Rendell, who held his last inaugural ball at the Farm Show Complex, plans to attend Thompson’s 9 a.m. swearing-in ceremony, but can’t attend the ball, said Gary Tuma, the governor’s spokesman. The governor plans to attend the swearing-in ceremony for Democrat Kim Bracey in York and has an event in Allentown later that day.

State Sen. Jeff Piccola, R-Dauphin County, also plans to attend Thompson’s swearing-in ceremony, but hasn’t decided whether he will attend the ball.  State Rep. Ronald Buxton, D-Harrisburg, said he plans to attend the ball.

While Harrisburg’s political elite might be on the fence about the ball, the business community is expected to make a strong showing, said David Black, the president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber.   Stan Lawson, the head of the Greater Harrisburg chapter of the NAACP, plans to show his support for the new administration by attending the ball.

"This is a first time for this to happen," Lawson said. "The first person of color to become mayor. For a lot of people, that comes with a lot of pride, and they will be willing to make that sacrifice."

Raymond Taltoan III, the owner of Unforgettable Images barber shop in south Allison Hill, said he is thinking about buying a ticket for the ball.   "I’m just glad to see change," Taltoan said. "The people spoke early. Now the time has come. I pray that she does a great job for the city, mostly the people in the city. If she can do that, we’ll be fine."

Harrisburg NAACP calls on Governor Rendell to impose Martial Law on city's already traumatized community

SEAN SIMMERS, The Patriot-News

Shariyka Muhammad of Harrisburg cries while listening
to 21 year-old Tamicia Burhannan tell the story of finding
out that her cousin, Darrell Evans took his own life during
a police chase last week.

by Diane White, Philadelphia Front Page News

Harrisburg- While hundreds of residents came together at the Heinz-Menaker Senior Center Thursday evening to work on solutions to the recent wave of shootings in the city, NAACP Harrisburg Chapter President Stanley Lawson called on Governor Rendell to bring in the state National Guard for at least 30 days and to impose a curfew in Harrisburg neighborhoods. The NAACP called for the imposition of martial law in the community for its own good. Martial law is a system of rules that takes effect when the military takes control of the normal administration of justice, normally in times of emergency by a show of force. Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell responded to Lawson's call for the suspension of civil liberties and the imposition of martial law on the community almost simultaneously by committing the Pennsylvania State Police to patrol the streets of Harrisburg .

So far 12 shootings have occurred in the city during the month of June. Some related some unrelated. A shoot out over a $40 e-pill, A shoot out in retailiation, two in one robbery one as a result of a love triangle. One involving an unarmed teen suspected of being involved in a drive-by who was shot in the face by the same police officer who shot and killed another unarmed black man while off duty. One determined by the coroner to be a suicide as a result of a self inflicted gun shot wound when a teen was found dead by the police officer who was chasing him. One drive by at a play ground where luckily no one got hurt.

The NAACP Harrisburg Chapter was not represented at the community meeting, while Govenor Rendell made a surprise appearance along with Steven Reed, District Attorney Ed Marisco and Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick "I came to work" said Hartwick", the best way I can help is to be a good dad."

The meeting was organized by Pastor Brenda Alton, President of the IMC and City Council President Linda Thompson who recently defeated Reed in the Mayoral primary.

"Central PA Local News, Breaking News..." - PennLive.com

Central PA Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - PennLive.com: "Thompson claims win in Harrisburg mayor's race 11:38 PM

With 27 of 28 precincts reporting, Linda Thompson leads for Democratic nomination, declares victory as Mayor Stephen R. Reed gives concession speech"

abc27 News - Harrisburg Mayoral Debate

Linda Thompson - Democrat

Steven Reed - Democrat

Nevin Mindlin - Republican

Les Ford - Democrat

abc27 News - Harrisburg Mayoral Debate: "

"The Harrisburg Mayoral Debate sponsored by abc27 and Harrisburg Young Professionals, held at the Midtown Arts Center at 3rd and Herr Streets on Wednesday, May 13, is posted here in its entirety. The videos appear in segments to enhance viewing quality..."

abc27 News - Harrisburg Mayoral Debate

Linda Thompson - Democrat

Steven Reed - Democrat

Nevin Mindlin - Republican

Les Ford - Democrat

abc27 News - Harrisburg Mayoral Debate: "

The Harrisburg Mayoral Debate sponsored by abc27 and Harrisburg Young Professionals, held at the Midtown Arts Center at 3rd and Herr Streets on Wednesday, May 13, is posted here in its entirety. The videos appear in segments to enhance viewing quality.

Stimulus Watch - Harrisburg Projects - Keystone Progress Ning

Stimulus Watch - Harrisburg Projects - Keystone Progress Ning

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=82688250048&h=82Of2&u=fbvRE

"I always feel like somebody's watching me..."

by DLighte

O.K. ya'll let's see how the who, what, when and where of the job scene in Harrisburg is impacted by theses projects and the money...

Who will pay for the Harrisburg Incinerator debacle?

By Diane F White, FPN Harrisburg

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) considered Harrisburg an "environmental justice" community, but has done nothing to stop pollution from harming Harrisburg's communities of color. In fact, it's the DEP that has given out the permits, allowing industrial pollution in South Harrisburg.

The area closest to the Harrisburg incinerator has the highest percentage of minority residents in the county. South Harrisburg has been home to the country's most polluting trash incinerator for over 40 years. Toxic ash piles will sit there forever. The soot and emissions will continue to poison people, leading to more cancer and asthma, and contamination of our air, water and soil.

Mr. Chivis died on 4/9/2004.

He was a courageous and principled

man and he is greatly missed.

The state NAACP passed a resolution opposing the project on environmental justice grounds. Yet in the midst of loud public outcries and ongoing protests from city residents, Steven Reed, the Harrisburg Authority and the County Commissioners pressured the Harrisburg City Council members into approving their plan.

A plan which allowed the city residents to be exploited by greedy
politicians. We never needed an 800-ton a day incinerator to handle the trash that the city produces. The city maintained that by increasing the size of the incinerator it would be able to produce more electricity to sell to utility companies. Big whoopy, city residents are footing the bill for the rest of the county's waste removal and lining the pockets of the utility companies, who are on the verge of raising our rates anyway. While the rest of the world is trying to clean up the environment and looking for alternative energy sources such as wind and solar, we are going in the opposite direction and creating brownfields.

Mayor Reed, the Harrisburg Authority and the County Commissioners are seeking to bring waste from outside of Harrisburg to feed the incinerator. By attracting other people's waste to the incinerator the city, the county and the state continue to subject neighborhoods in Harrisburg, Steelton, and Swatara Township to the environmental and economic consequences.

The best made plans of mice and men have been known to fall apart. This plan fell apart at the seams. Now the County is being asked to help foot the bill to operate the incinerator and they are not happy about it. Problem is, the County entered into a flow control agreement with the Harrisburg Authority which binds them to bring their MSW to the Harrisburg Incinerator. What started out as an offer which was too good to be true, turned out to be just was it was from its inception, a complete debacle.

What is the going rate for polluting an Environmental Justice community? Inquiring minds want to know. Whatever the rate, for the residents of Harrisburg it amounts to exploitation.

It is unconscionable that the County Commissioners are fighting in the courts to keep from paying their share of the proposed rate increase and its even more unconscionable that the courts are entertaining it. In fact, It is down right disgraceful that the DEP and the Feds have not stepped into the picture, if for no other reason, then social justice. Where is the accountablity?

Judges Barry C. Dozer, Maureen Fitzpatrick & WVSR1360.1AM Radio History

Judges Barry C. Dozer, Maureen Fitzpatrick & WVSR1360.1AM Radio History

Photo by Joel Perlish Photography Above: Van Stone, SCOOP USA Newspaper Reporter, Baittank Downing, SCOOP, USA Newspaper Reporter are Radio Personalities at WVSR1360.1 AM Philadelphia Internet Radio Station. Stone pioneered Internet Education Radio Station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Enduring gross alleged mistreatment by being wrongfully imprisoned in Delaware County Pennsylvania, on September 27, 2004, Van Stone Downing returned to internet radio in 2007 to help needy families dealing with unfair decisions, bigotry, racism, bias, etc., by the hands of certain Media Delaware County Judges and the Philadelphia Chapter of the Christian Jehovah's Witnesses. See his 2 children below as last seen by Stone since 2003.

Cheyenne Samara Stone Downing and Samson Dakota Stone Downing children of father, Van Stone Downing who works as a Youth Worker, State Certified Foster Parent, by and with the Department of Human Services, the School District, private providers, and the community, assigned to high-risk youth between the ages of 3 to 16 to protect them from becoming victims of abusive parents. Parent Violence is taking away their childhood too. Help is on the way for them and other kids who have positive dads, (exposing dad false imprisonment-no dad rights as ordered by the prejudice Courts) on WVSR1360.1 AM Philly Internet Radio, Talk Radio format.

West Philadelphia Van Stone Radio Station “Philadelphia Internet Education Radio Station” WVSR 1360.1 AM, was founded in 2003 as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s first located Internet education television station and radio station, an Black American programming that allows viewers to watch television and listen to the radio over the Internet. It was the first Philadelphia-licensed Internet since June 2004. Bearing the callsign WVSR1360.1 AM, it broadcast with significantly on the web than standard radio and television stations did.

Introduction

WVSR1360.1 AM “Philadelphia Internet Education Radio” is a popular and pioneering Internet radio station that defines itself as the nonprofit run station - 24 hours/seven days a week – proving talk radio and television that address issues pertaining to education, politics, and community interest. Television is provided by the compliment news component, the Philadelphia Front Page News a daily newspaper found also on the web.

The radio programming differs from most online radio broadcasting in that the talk is not limited to any specific genre but instead speak for prime diversities. West Philadelphia Van Stone Radio mostly plays original styles of smooth Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, grove, and classic soul and kids music. All of the styles are DJ-mixed. WVSR is a non-commercial organization. It accepts sponsorships for donating their service and running commercials. And they financially support the station through donations for needy children and animals on-line.

WVSR TV/Radio, not affiliated with a major TV network, runs many reruns, music videos, and television workshop projects. One of the advantages some will find if they can tune into this internet radio/TV site is being able to pick up the cable stations that broadcast the Philadelphia 76ers home basketball games and the Philadelphia Eagles football games. Such telecasts are shown only on cable with blackouts on TV sets that have satellite hookups or non-digital television sets. Nevertheless, besides focusing on community news, the mixed media does air everything from Rock to Gospel and even features independent artist who produces their own music.

Stone’s WVSR goal is to make it easier for independent artist to become known.

The station also provides access to non-accessible local and national television and radio and cable news stations, as well as AM radio. The nonprofit website/station is able to provide such a vast variety of programming because of the donations that are given by viewers/listeners. The site also solicits groups to advertise their wares and services. Stone's’WVSR is designed to create Internet workshops that teaches kids and adults about the Internet.

Affiliations included Accent Radio. James Sullivan is also a part owner as well. The station achieved an interesting amount of success under Sullivan’s stewardship.

WVSR streams are available in MP3, HE-AAC (AAC+), WMA and RealAudio in various bitrates, and can be accessed through Apple's iTunes radio tuner service as well as the SHOUTcast Radio search feature available in the Winamp player and the Shoutcast web site. The station can also be found under the "Cool Streams" playlist built into the Amarok Media Player.

The web site offers listeners the ability to comment live by telephone on talk themes and the rotation playlist. Radio Host participates in interactive re-recorded shows. The station has made much impact in the ratings,

Aside from providing a varied selection of original and old school style music, WVSR1360.1 also has a lively on-line community via its forums, journals, comments section and contests (through donations) on the web site. Health and Human interest is a key reason that listeners log on the website and newspaper to share and learn.

Van Stone Downing started the station. Gerald McNeil developed the webmaster components and broadband technologies. Much later, in 2007, did Diane White from Harrisburg, PA, a Webmaster, Political Activist and Community Activist, joined the team of Stone and McNeil to help make both the WVSR1360.1 AM and the Philadelphia Front Page News a household name. But as for Van Stone, he has been a radio station host and DJ at various education non-commercial stations such as WPEB Philadelphia since 1994, as well as working as a radio & TV engineer and producer. Stone is best known for his former show, “Radio Magazine, with your Host Van Stone

WVSR TV/Radio was featured in a Philadelphia Westside Weekly newspaper article of July 23, 2004 on ‘They Link The N’hood to Internet’ through an interview with Stone and McNeil.

WVSR TV/Radio was discontinued in September 2004, when Stone was allegedly wrongfully incarcerated by Media Delaware County Courthouse Judges Barry C. Dozer and Maureen Fitzpatrick during a custody matter over Stone’s 2 children and his estranged wife but, later the station was reinstated on New Years Eve 2007. James Sullivan, who was titled as vice president of communications, became owner of both the WVSR1360 radio station and the Philadelphia Front Page News to relieve Stone of conflict of interest. At the conception of Stone’s WVSR TV/Radio Downing and station programming was focusing on all types of abuse. Even religious abuse. And this is where Downing’s Internet TV/Radio becomes controversial. The station takes aim at the Jehovah’s Witnesses sect and Judges Barry C. Dozer, Maureen Fitzpatrick, and Court Master Wright, Media Delaware County Courthouse, alleging hypocrisy in some of the Jah’s Witnesses doctrines especially its links to the United Nations. And alleging corruption in some of the Media justices decisions especially its links to bigotry, prejudice, bias, and racism in Family Court matters; divorce, custody, support, and protection from abuse orders.

In 2003, Stone and WVSR programmers discussed the Jah’s Witnesses religion bans any involvement in any form of governmental or political activity, except paying taxes.

According to Van Stone Downing, a former JW himself, “leaders of the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization are telling their members not to vote, but at the same time the leaders joined the United Nations.” Stone, who left the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization, for reasons that don’t matter, also said that the religious organization has a lot of child sexual abuse allegations successfully proved in court. As for the Media Delaware County Courthouse Judges in question, Stone has supported groups and legislators that have raising concerns about Media Delaware County Courthouse and Judges Barry C. Dozer and Judge Maureen Fitzpatrick.

Stone wanted to help change Philadelphia to a safer and more economical city by helping Philadelphia become a producer of analog or digital, terrestrial, or Internet – radio pioneering job increasing for poverty stricken blacks in particular and all youngsters that are dealing with school dropouts rates, youth gun-homicide, unemployment, and child fostering.

Stone developed the concept in Internet radio and job improvement that 13 songs or ads per hour, would bring about hundreds of donated dollars for streaming, per station per month that 90% adults and teens living in a Philadelphia city district would be employed in radio career. Nonprofit Internet radio stations acquiring enough donation online spots and website banners and sponsorships would make it affordable to hire 20 to 25 personnel.

In addition, in 2008 Stone brought a Hollywood actor, Stefan Umstead, to reach entertainment, corporations, sports and health professional demographics. Later Stone got nationally known Disc Jockey “DJ Kid Scratch” to the station to blend in records being played when social-conscience topics were not occurring. Soon the station would become more competitive with FM radio. Stefan Umstead himself is a featured radio personality. And DJ Kid Scratch himself is a featured host, and is joined by several comedians and actors and film stars. The station achieved notoriety by featuring former Philadelphia residents that became stars and decided to come back and give back to the American Black Philadelphia community. And now viewers from as far as California, where Stefan resides, could call in live and talk on issues of the day with radio personalities. Soon Advertising donations picked up, and the viewership/listenership increased 50%. And also Samuel Van Stone Downing himself was a featured as a returned host.

When new themes at WVSR next appeared, it was clear Chiropractic Care was in the forefront of talk format. The science behind chiropractic care has existed since as long ago as 2700 BC. Chiropractic Radio would help field the voice for many physicians who stressed the importance of spinal manipulation as a preventive measure. Dr. Michael L. Pollard examined the chiropractic profession. Dr. Pollard explained how Daniel David Palmer, who started the Palmer School of Chiropractic in 1897, founded it in 1895 in the United States. His son, BJ Palmer, continued the school after his father's death and is credited for developing chiropractic care into what it is today.

Since then, chiropractic care has gained legal recognition in all fifty United States, and worldwide support continues to grow. Chiropractors are recognized as physicians and are often covered by insurance and Medicare. Chiropractors use a variety of techniques and procedures to allow the body to heal at full potential. Dr. Pollard helps families learn and listen about chiropractors that can take care of a person’s chiropractic and holistic healthcare needs.

In addition 3 to 5 second psa’s and news tips about proper animal care and animal rights drew in new donators and listener/viewers that are concerned about animal abuse in Philadelphia and abroad.

Gerald “Jerry” McNeal co-re-established created music video programming format concentrating on the historical music roots and Black American History and programs about modern rap music education videos. Diane White established "DLighte House" featuring talk and music dealing with social, economic and environmental justice and our overall physical, mental and spiritual well-being as we strive for the "One Love" through the vibrations of the spoken word and reggae music.

WVSR
Station Address:
Van Stone
P.O. Box 395
East Lansdowne, PA 19050

WVSR Technical Info:
Status Licensed Class Internet Affiliate
Area of Coverage Broadcast During Determined Hours Paid-For-AM OnAir Time
Hours of Operation Unlimited

ELAINE BROWN WITHDRAWS FROM GREEN PARTY PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Elaine Brown

by Diane White diane@dlighten.com

In an open letter to the Green Party, highly respected author, lecturer , and champion for black, brown, poor and oppressed people all over the world, former Black Panther Chairperson Elaine Brown withdraws from the Green Party Presidential Race.

Elaine Brown was an irreplaceable asset to the Green Party. During her 2005 campaign for Mayor of New Brunswick, GA Brown inspired an influx of black and brown voters into a political party marred by a reputation for being a bunch of "white tree hugging hippies" out of touch with "urban" America. Announcing her intentions to seek the Green Party presidential candidacy in February of this year, Brown was poised to bring about a much needed change. Her commitment to the disenfranchised, her organizing experience, her reputation and her belief in the 10 key values espoused by the Greens were a perfect match for the party, so it would seem. But alas, there are the "Greens" and there's the "Party", not necessarily one in the same.

The failure of party leadership to properly deal with a slanderous letter written and circulated to the Steering Committee by a paid staff member and subsequent attacks on Brown supporters who were appalled by the racially inflammatory contents of the letter was surely the "straw that broke the camel's back".

Renounces Green Party Membership
_____________________________

OPEN STATEMENT TO THE GREEN PARTY

As of today, I am no longer a candidate for the Green Party nomination for president of the United States, and I hereby resign from all affiliation with the Green Party. I believe the leadership of the Green Party of the United States has been seized by neo-liberal men who entrench the Party in internecine antagonisms so as to compromise its stated principles and frustrate its electoral and other goals. They have made it impossible to advance any truly progressive ideals or objectives under the umbrella of the Green Party, and, thus, rendered it counterproductive for me to go forward as a Green Party candidate or member.

I believe this small clique that has captured control of the Party has transformed it into a repository for erstwhile, disgruntled Democrats, who would violate the Party’s own vision and sabotage the good will and genuine commitment of the general membership. Indeed, these usurpers foster a reactionary agenda, supporting partisans in and backers of the Bush wars and disavowing the Party’s more progressive tenets in favor of promoting high-profile participation in the politics of the establishment.

This became clear to me almost from the moment I announced my candidacy in February of 2007. I intended using my campaign to bring large numbers of blacks and browns into the Party, particularly from the hood and the barrio—as would come to be reflected in the lists of supporters and delegates I’ve submitted in connection with my candidacy. As I asserted I would use the respect I enjoyed as a former leader of the Black Panther Party to do so, some in the hierarchy seemed utterly fearful of the prospect of a massive influx of blacks and browns into the Green Party. Soon, there was wide circulation of false rumors that I was a one-time “government agent,” which was intended to discredit my history in the Black Panther Party so as to undermine my potential influence.—And, since then, I have had to devote significant time and energy to addressing these lies.—What this effort revealed, though, was how the Green Party, while advocating “diversity,” remains dominated by whites. Indeed, the Party is able to count less blacks, browns and natives in its membership than our national population percentages and certainly less than the Democrats themselves.

In effect, the present Green Party leadership promotes a kinder, gentler capitalism, a moderated racism, an environmentally-sustainable globalism, which I cannot support. They are dedicated to the underside of the Party’s platform, which falls short of repudiating the capitalist state, source of all the social ills the Party would address. They equivocate by promoting “an economic alternative to corporate capitalism and a socialist state,” advocate a “re-formulation” of the IMF, NAFTA, so forth, and advance the institution of “stakeholder capitalism.”

On the other hand, they demonstrate a willingness to override the best of the Party’s platform. My sharp criticism of high-profile Party members’ support for the “three-strikes” crime laws, the sole basis for the inhumane mass incarceration of people in the United States, particularly blacks—the repeal of which the Party’s platform advocates—has been met with outright enmity. And, to divert attention from this and other critical issues, the leadership has employed chicanery in their promulgation of defamatory lies about me—which they finally extended to character assaults on my supporters and critics of their unscrupulousness.

It is my sincere belief that the Green Party as it now exists has no intention of using the ballot to actualize real social progress, and will aggressively repel attempts to do so. To remain in the fray or in the Party, then, would require a betrayal of my lifelong and ongoing commitment to serving the interests of black and other oppressed people by advancing revolutionary change in America.

---

Hope and Leadership in Brown Campaign Causes Surge in New Young Activists Registering Green

Elaine Brown
By Diane White diane@dlighten.

Be positive, read a book, be a newly-registered green, change a diaper, cause word on the streets of Watts, Watsonville, Santa Ana, Oakland/Berkeley, Houston, Pittsburgh, DC, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit is that despite the cages, or the acts of the grinches, the birds are singing, and singing, and singing...

With hardly any money at all, a new generation of youth -- alienated by war, incarceration, violence, and all the sequelae of anarchistic, valueless privatization and free trade -- have found in the Philadelphia native, senior 60's Black and Peace movement spokesperson, not defeated by the US War and Terror machine, not duped by the shock doctrine, not dead from disaster capitalism, no not this Woman of Our Time, but rather sharpened like a sickle, and made flexible not hard by the hammer of corporate big money and COINTELPRO, HER canary song announcing that we CAN win, and that human needs and the crisis of human suffering WILL trump private profits, if we stand up now.

This wise voice which has endured beatings, continual harassment and threats, and a willful refusal by the mainstream media to allow her to have the same platform built for others, is inspiring a most electrifying and empowering movement of disenchanted non-voters all over the United States to take charge of their lives and to register green and become delegates for Elaine Brown at the 2008 Green Party Nominating Convention July 10-13 in Chicago, Ill.

"We don't have the money of the democrats, and we're not asking for the money funding the other candidates", says Brown.

"We are just registering voters and inspiring them to see their power."

A passionate leader who leads not with money but with her heart, spirit, and un-silenced voice, Elaine "Green Party" Brown is seeking the Green Party of the United State 2008 Presidential Nomination.

Elaine Brown's book, A Taste of Power, about her earlier life as she became the top leader and only-ever Womyn Chair of the Black Panther Party, can be purchased in soft cover at Amazon.com or your local Barnes and Noble.

http://www.freespeech.org/videodb/index.php?action=detail&video_id=10741&browse=0

Elaine Brown is a former Black Panther Party leader, noted author, community and prison justice activist. Elaine addresses students at Regis University as a part of women’s history month.

Series: Keynote
Episode: Keynote: Elaine Brown

Viewing options
Play RealMedia format (55m 33s; for broadband users)

Producer: Kevin Price (www.freespeech.org)

PS Join us! Off of the listserves and into the screen door porches and
streets!