Also this issue: Sam I Am Mayoral candidate Sam Katz purrs about Santorum, Dems who support him and begging for cash. Don't Tread on Me Ain’t no black folks buried under here, but you whites better watch out anyway. -Deborah Bolling Byko Bye Bye? Philly’s gossip king seeks new dominion. -Deborah Bolling Trainsuing -Deborah Bolling Gorilla Thrilla (And Beanie Sigel Too) -Brendan McGarvey I'm My Own Man -Mary F. Patel

July 10-16, 2003

the bell curve

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

Wife of mayor's spokesperson, Frank Keel, writes pointed anti-Sam Katz letter to Daily News under maiden name. But who was this "Teerts Notlim" who wrote the anti-John Street letter? Minus 1

Local children's TV legend Chief Halftown dies at age 86. Minus 7

City says it will abandon discretion-based permit process for protests and political demonstrations. Now permission will be given based on the shower system. Plus 4

Sandra Day O'Connor implores dignitaries to pull on ribbons at the Constitution Center's dedication ceremony. They do, yanking a heavy wooden frame onto themselves. Says O'Connor, "Consider yourselves punk'd." Minus 5

Constitution Center President Joe Torsella, Mayor Street and Sen. Arlen Specter are among the injured at the opening, but O'Connor is unhurt. We were this close to changing our city's motto to "The City that Killed the Swing Vote." Minus 3

The Tennessee company in charge of the dedication ceremony admits it failed to bolt the heavy frame to the stage. "Still," says spokesperson, "you have to admit we did a good job of bolting the city." Minus 1

FBI and IRS investigating West Philly school that received $4 million from Philadelphia Community College but may not have existed. I mean, who ever heard of "Drexel University"? Minus 3

About 3,000-5,000 protesters march through Center City on July 4. But most of them were just Frampton's backing band. Plus 2

Total pluses: 6

Total minuses: -20

Score for the week: -14

Last week’s score: -3

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