Senator Farnese Joins Police to Welcome Five Horses for Restored Mounted Unit

Senator Farnese joined Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, the families of officers killed in the line of duty, members of the Philadelphia Police Foundation and others to welcome the first five horses to the soon-to-be restored Philadelphia Police Mounted Unit.

Stephen, Santiago, Pat, Tiny Tim and Johnny will soon begin their training alongside members of the PPD Mounted Unit in April. The horses have been named after the five officers who have fallen in the line of duty since 2008 (Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, 05/03/08; Officer Isabel Nazario (maiden name Santiago), 09/05/08; Sgt. Patrick McDonld, 09/23/08.; Sgt. Timothy Simpson, 11/07/08; Officer John Pawlowski, 02/13/09).

Senator Farnese has secured a $100,000 state-funded grant specifically for the Philadelphia Police Mounted Patrol Unit.

The Philadelphia Police Department, with the support of the non-profit Philadelphia Police Foundation, expects to have a Mounted Unit with initially 10-12 horses and officers up and running later this year. For more information, please visit www.phillypolicefoundation.org.

Legislative News

Senator Farnese Introduces Legislation to Attack Bedbugs 

Senator Farnese has introduced Senate Bill 908 to address the growing health concerns regarding bed bug infestations in multi-unit buildings and hotels.

Due to a rise in bed bug infestations nationwide and in Pennsylvania, particularly in Philadelphia, Senator Farnese introduced the legislation to reduce the infestation of these pests, which are a public nuisance and a health hazard.

The bill establishes procedures to prevent and eradicate bed bugs in certain residential properties and hotels.

It is also designed to protect the health of residents and keep Pennsylvania competitive as a tourist destination.

The bill would require an owner or landlord of a multi-unit building to maintain a clean and safe living environment free of bedbugs. Tenants may be held responsible for costs when it can be shown that tenants are responsible for the infestation.

Hotels would be required to provide written certification to guests that the facilities are free of bedbugs.

Failure to comply would result in fines ranging from $300 to $1000.

Gift of Life Organ Donor Program 

Senator Farnese introduced a resolution designating April 6th “Pennsylvania Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Day.”

There are approximately 8,000 Pennsylvanians in need of lifesaving organ donations, with 110,000 in need of transplants nationwide. For every person who donates organs and tissue, a potential 50 lives can be saved or enhanced and 8 people can be taken off the organ transplant waiting list.

According to The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) and the Gift of Life Donor Program, the work of medical professionals and researchers to improve surgical techniques and pharmacology has resulted in a significant increase in the success rate for organ, tissue and cornea transplantation.

However, the challenge remains that the number of people in need of transplants far exceeds the number of organs, tissues and corneas that are donated.

For more information, please visit www.donatelife-pa.org.

Temporary Summer Employment Program for High School Students

The Naval Surface Warfare Center is looking for highly motivated high school students to expose them to Navy projects and programs for full-time temporary jobs for the summer.

Summer hires will receive hands-on experience in the fields of engineering, science and computers in a research and development and test and evaluation environment. Selected students will be placed in a wide variety of scientific and engineering fields with scientists, engineers and technicians who will serve as mentors.

For additional information and requirements, please call 1-877-441-1891.

LIHEAP Extended---Customers Urged to Act Now

PGW is urging customers to immediately apply for a Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grant since the deadline has been extended to April 15, 2011.

Eligible customers who need their service restored or want to avoid a shut-off can receive hundreds of dollars in assistance.

For more information, visit www.pgworks.com or visit our District Office at 1802 South Broad St. Our phone number is 215-952-3121.