Also this issue:

Feds Indict "Mr. Fantastic"
A City Paper investigation leads to espionage charges.
-Howard Altman

Incendiary Situation
Neighbors nervous as MOVE boards up headquarters.
-Gwen Shaffer

Vegas, Baby!
-Daryl Gale

Hit 'Em Where They Live
-Daniel Brook

Rosey's Future
-Deborah Bolling

Gay-J's Host the USA
A national convention of lesbian and gay journalists makes headlines for Philly.
-David Warner

Starting the Dialogue
-Mary F. Patel

September 19-25, 2002

the bell curve

The Bell Curve

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

City finance director predicts $500 million deficit over next five years, due to slow economy, new union contracts and tax cuts. Silly us, thinking it would be paying for new stadiums that would get us into trouble. Minus 10

D.A. drops remaining charge against Allen Iverson, citing witnesses’ reluctance to testify. His lawyers later deny that gunshots heard in Gladwyne were AI popping a few off in celebration. Plus 1

School District CEO Paul Vallas announces plans to hire students’ parents as truant officers. Teachers organize a pool on how many don’t show up their first day. Plus 4

State denies city’s request to be exempt from water-use restrictions related to ongoing drought. Society Hill Towers grants itself an exception, on grounds that Tower residents pay a lot of money to be above it all. Plus 3

Republican mailing cites Mayor Street’s “brothers and sisters are running the city” remark as evidence that he doesn’t care about the predominantly white Northeast. So how would they explain the state of his old Council district in predominantly black North Philly? Minus 1

City Hall opens new office for residents trying to navigate the court system. Helpful map depicts “Shit’s Creek” next to “You Are Here” icon. Plus 5

Eagles’ players overcome when cops use pepper spray to break up fights in the stands at FedEx Field. “Man, it was like South Street, but with less pot,” says running back Correll Buckhalter. Minus 2

Shrub at Councilman DiCicco’s home is burned, and DiCicco suggests union boss and political rival John Dougherty is to blame. Actually, that was his second thought when he saw the burning bush -- the first was that Vince Fumo was contacting him. Minus 1

Total pluses: 13

Total minuses: 14

Score for the week: -1

Last week’s score: -9