Henon, union members donate turkeys to local families
City Councilman Bobby Henon joined his fellow members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Local 98, including Business Manager John Dougherty, and George Zallie of ShopRite (Frankford Avenue and Knorr Street), on Nov. 24 to donate more than 200 turkeys and trimmings to families in need across Northeast Philadelphia.
Henon, Local 98 members and members of Philadelphia Plumbers Union Local 690 helped unload the meals and prepare them for delivery to Thanksgiving tables across the Northeast. ••
Boyle reintroduces hate crimes measure to strengthen law
State Rep. Kevin Boyle announced he is reintroducing legislation to strengthen the state’s hate crimes law. Boyle said his bill would expand the offense of ethnic intimidation to include malicious intention against the actual or perceived ancestry, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity of another individual or group of individuals.
The representative said the bill is necessary because in 2008 the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that a 2002 law that protected individuals based on their actual or perceived ancestry, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity was unconstitutional. He noted that the court’s ruling had nothing to do with the merits of the hate crimes law; rather, the decision found that the original bill, H.B. 1493, was amended so as to change its original purpose, which violated the state Constitution.
“It’s a shame that this law was removed on a technicality,” Boyle said. “This language was enacted in 2002 and should have been state law for the past 12 years.” ••
O’Neill collecting Toys for Tots
The offices of City Councilman Brian O’Neill (R-10th dist.) are collecting new, unwrapped toys as part of the U.S. Marine Reserve Corps Toys for Tots program.
O’Neill’s offices are located at 432 Rhawn St., Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 headquarters at 11630 Caroline Road, Bustleton Avenue and Bowler Street and 562 City Hall.
For more information, call 215-MU6–3422. ••
