May 3–10, 2001

news

The Bell Curve

City Paper’s weekly gauge of Philly’s Quality of Life.

Mayor Street says he wants to raise $150 million for children’s programs over the next three years. Protesters in Chinatown demand the programs be based in South Philly. Plus 3

District Attorney Lynne Abraham surrounded and taunted by activists for her handling of RNC protesters. Crowd angered to discover they'd been duped by a life-sized Abraham puppet. Plus 1

Knight Ridder announces plans to cut staff at most of its 32 daily newspapers, which include the Inky and the Daily News. Columnist/author Jennifer Weiner plots rough outline of new roman à clef Good in a Pink Slip. Minus 2

SEPTA plans to force some handicapped passengers to prove their disability before becoming eligible for paratransit. Riders are required to hold up parts of their anatomy severed by SEPTA escalators and trains before boarding. Minus 4

Stephanie W. Naidoff, president of the Kimmel Center, resigns eight months before the performing arts center is set to open. She just found out the Philadelphia Orchestra was a cover band. Minus 1

Kensington youths heckle antidrug activists who were chanting "Down with Dope! Up with Hope!" at rally. "While we appreciate your gusto, your mundane couplet belies the complexity of the drug problem!" shouted the hecklers. Minus 1

Former deputy director of the Philadelphia Housing Development Corp. Alan Brown found guilty of misusing funds and having city workers help renovate his house. Judge also orders the removal of "Alan Brown Housing Development Corp." placards from all city trucks. Plus 2

Total Pluses: 6

Total Minuses: 8

Score for the Week: -2

Last Week’s Total: 8