Also this issue: West Philly Stops Live-Stop Lot Incensed gardeners Weedwack city plans to park confiscated autos in Cedar Hill. -Deborah Bolling Tax Questions, Frank Answers Councilman DiCicco pays 15 percent of the property taxes his neighbors pay. He says it’s just timing. -Daniel Brook Trouble Hmong Us A new wave of Asian gang crime worries cops. -Brendan McGarvey ACORN Goes Fishin' -Daryl Gale The Summer Wind -Mary F. Patel

August 1- 7, 2002

the bell curve

The Bell Curve

City Paper's weekly gauge of Philly's Quality of Life

Judge dismisses most serious charges against Allen Iverson, confesses he is a fan during trial. Think the judge could referee? Plus 8

Judge dismisses local activists’ lawsuit over city’s failure to provide a public-access cable station. “You do have such a station,” says judge. “It’s called CN8, and it looks like anybody can get their own show.” Minus 3

Contract of mayor’s PR consultant extended with new terms that could mean 50 percent raise. “They earned it,” beams Street. “That idea to gouge the shit out of Love Park in time for the X Games was pure gold.” Minus 2

School district agrees to pay PR firms hundreds of thousands more than originally agreed upon. Well, they are going to need some PR. Minus 1

Federal judge says city can no longer refuse to haul away trash from apartment and condo buildings. Now if only we can get New Jersey to stop dumping its trash on South Street every weekend. Plus 3

Northeast Philly church’s poor box stolen. Suspected: poor people. Minus 1

Murder suspect on run for a year nabbed outside movie theater, where off-duty cops had spotted him leaving after he’d watched Road to Perdition. Says suspect: “I knew I should have seen Undercover Brother.” Plus 2

Burglary suspects arrested when they show up with more loot while police are searching their home. Police take them to see Road to Perdition before booking them. Plus 1

Total pluses: 14

Total minuses: 7

Score for the week: 7

Last week’s score: -1