Give me the dirt
on waste, inspector says

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Seth Williams is calling on Philadelphians to help him uncover corruption, fraud and waste involving a city employee or department or companies that have a contract with the city.
Williams, a lawyer, is the city’s inspector general. At last week’s Northwood Civic Association meeting, he "deputized" residents as assistant inspectors general.
A former assistant district attorney for more than 10 years, Williams lost a bitter 2005 Democratic primary to District Attorney Lynne Abraham.
Later that year, Mayor John Street named him inspector general. His predecessor left after a Fox 29 news investigation allegedly caught him living in Medford, N.J.
Williams, a married father of three, lives in Overbrook Park and serves as the president of that neighborhood’s civic association.
The inspector general’s office was created in 1984 by then-Mayor Wilson Goode to be independent of the administration. Williams, the fifth person to hold the post, has 11 employees who work for him.
The inspector general oversees all departments that are under the direction of the mayor’s office. He welcomes calls of alleged wrongdoing about everyone "from the mayor on down." The telephone number is 215-686-1770.
As for allegations of political corruption, he forwards the information to the offices of the state attorney general or the US. Attorney, adding that he doesn’t give the information to Abraham because she passes on those investigations because of supposed conflicts of interest.
Williams hopes most city workers are honest.
"My bigger job is to deter corruption and crime," he said.
Williams wants Philadelphians to know that city workers cannot accept cash. As an example, he said business owners should not pay people posing as Department of Licenses and Inspections employees threatening to shut down a business. Nor should homeowners pay phony water department employees who are about to shut off service for failing to pay their bills.
In response to a question, Williams said he was prohibited from saying whom he favors for mayor. He didn’t rule out another run for district attorney.
"I look forward to 2009," he said, adding that he even knows the date of the primary — May 19.
In other news from the Feb. 20 meeting:
• The civic association seemed ready to approve a proposal by People Acting To Help (PATH), which wants to bring one of its programs to the grounds at Friends Hospital.
Betty Andl-Petkov, president and CEO of PATH, explained that the city wants her agency to run a residential program for 12 young adults in House A at Friends. Staff would be on site around the clock.
The individuals, ages 18 to 25, have mental health and mild mental retardation diagnoses. They formerly lived in foster care settings.
The Friends Hospital property is zoned for mental health services, but PATH needs Zoning Board of Adjustment approval because it plans to renovate the decaying structure and build an addition.
While the majority of residents were OK with the idea, a few expressed concerns about what they see as a growing commercialization of Friends Hospital. Some are also not big fans of PATH’s lawyer, Peter Kelsen, who has represented applicants that have battled the civic group over the years.
Andl-Petkov apologized for any bitter feelings the group has against the lawyer, adding that Steve Hurvitz, not Kelsen, is PATH’s general counsel.
• Michael Untermeyer outlined his platform as he seeks the Democratic nomination for sheriff. He’s challenging 20-year incumbent John Green in the May 15 primary.
Untermeyer is a former assistant district attorney and senior deputy attorney general. He’s seeking to head an office that is primarily in charge of transporting defendants to court and conducting home foreclosure sales.
In his address, Untermeyer pointed to what he called "scathing" reports by then-City Controller Jonathan Saidel, who determined that the sheriff’s office kept revenues in its accounts rather than distributing the money, as required, to city and state agencies.
The challenger also blasts the incumbent for providing no-bid contracts.
"There should be no sweetheart contracts. Everything should be open bidding," he said.
Untermeyer also believes the 215 uniformed sheriff’s deputies should provide support functions for the Philadelphia Police Department, allowing more cops to be deployed on the street.
• Joe Menkevich, president of the civic association, updated the crowd on the latest developments on Greenwood Cemetery.
Menkevich spoke about Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court’s decision that overturned a Philadelphia Common Pleas Court affirmation of a Zoning Board of Adjustment ruling granting the cemetery owners the right to build a crematory, funeral home and parking lot.
The struggle has lasted since January 2000, when Ron and Carol Hancock bought the decaying 43-acre property at 930 Adams Ave. (at Arrott Street) for $1 from George DeLong.
Menkevich has found two newspaper articles from 1787 and 1815 that he believes proves that Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, owned and lived on the ground.
The site is on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, but the civic leader contends the interior and exterior of the old house is being destroyed by neglect. He wants the owners to spend money to clear the overgrowth and repair the damaged grave markers and dilapidated buildings.
Menkevich blames former City Councilman Rick Mariano, now in prison on an unrelated federal corruption conviction, asserting that he "dropped the ball" in setting up an advisory committee to monitor the cemetery overhaul.
Williams, the inspector general, took a packet of information with him to see if his office can detect any corruption concerning the cemetery.
• The Historical Society of Frankford, at 1507 Orthodox St., will hold an open house on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. At 2 p.m., Menkevich will give a presentation on Lydia Darrah, the first American woman spy and a Revolutionary War heroine. Darrah Street in Frankford is named after her.
On Tuesday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m., the Rev. Paul Andell, longtime pastor of St. James Lutheran Church, will present the history of the 80-year-old church.
The donation for each event is $5. Call 215-743-6030.
• The civic association remains interested in pursuing certification as a Neighborhood Conservation District. Created by City Council in 2004, the designation would require homeowners to win the approval of the City Planning Commission before making facade changes or engaging in demolition or construction.
The planning commission made an initial presentation to the community last May. Interested members have looked at Queen Village to see how the project is working in that neighborhood.
• Northwood Civic Association will meet on Tuesday, March 20, at 7 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com