Citizen Watchdog Faye Anderson's statement regarding Bill No. 150406

1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Faye Anderson
(215) 995-5028
phlwatchdog@gmail.com
@andersonatlarge | @PHLWatchdog
Citizen Watchdog Speaks Out Against Jail Expansion Bill
Philadelphia–June 18, 2015–Faye Anderson, founder of PHLWatchdog, made the
following statement regarding Bill No. 150406, introduced by Councilman Bobby Henon:
Councilman Henon still doesn’t get it. In his letter to Mayor Nutter, he asked, “How are
we to expect the inmates at 7777 State Road to emerge as rehabilitated citizens?” Fact
is, nearly 80 percent of the “inmates” are awaiting trial. They are locked up because
they are too poor to post bail.
Henon said critics of his bill are “uninformed and politically motivated.” There is a
difference between being “uninformed” and the failure to inform the public about how
their tax dollars would be spent.
Bill No. 150406 was introduced on April 30. Nearly two months later, we still don’t know
who’s behind the shell company, 7777 Philadelphia PA Loan Associates LLC. We still
don’t know who owns the land. We don’t know who would be the beneficiary of a $7.26
million capital expenditure funded with taxpayers’ money.
What is “politically motivated” about questioning why the City would do business with a
company that is not in good standing in Delaware and has not filed an application for a
certificate of authority from the Secretary of the Commonwealth? The shell company is
not recognized as legitimate in Delaware or Pennsylvania.
The story in today’s Daily News confirms the property at 7777 State Road is likely
contaminated with nuclear waste. That is probably why the property has been vacant for
decades. What is “politically motivated” about questioning why contaminated land
increased in value? Mayor Nutter’s capital budget request went from $5 million to $7.26
million.
The battle for transparency and accountability continues. So on September 10, I will
launch PHLWatchdog, a citizen-led initiative to monitor and report on what the City is
doing with our money. Taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being spent.
We will shine a light on government in action because sunlight is the best disinfectant.
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