DVLF head named top executive
At the same time that Samantha Giusti was celebrating her third anniversary as head of the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund, she was named to a list of top 12 executives of 2015.
Philly Biz Magazine, which published its first issue in December, selected Giusti along with 11 others.
“I was really over the moon,” Giusti told PGN. “When you look at the list, you see it really is Philadelphia’s business titans.”
Julie Coker Graham, incoming president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Daniel J. Hilferty, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross, were among the other honorees.
Each appears in the magazine to discuss the experiences and inspirations they have in their fields.
Giusti said in her time at DVLF, a grant-making organization that funds LGBT programs and services, she and many volunteers have been able to increase the brand of the organization and engage stakeholders.
“I put a lot of heart into what I do,” Giusti said. “For me, it’s about leading by example. I’d never ask someone to do something I’m not 100-percent committed to. That’s what gets people inspired. You have to show people your passion behind the work you’re doing.”
Giusti volunteered with DVLF for more than a year before joining the staff. She’s also helped coordinate events for Stimulus Productions and volunteered as a peer counselor at the William Way LGBT Community Center.
Giusti said DVLF will undergo a brand refresh this year. A new logo and tagline will debut in the early part of the year. The organization also plans to fine-tune its vision.
To see the full list of top executives of Philadelphia, visit www.phillybiz.net/articles/?articleID=1097.
Cycle workshop for women
WTF Cycles, a co-op shop that focuses on bike maintenance, is inviting Philadelphia-area women to its first workshop.
The free event takes place from 3-6 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Tyler School of Art, 2001 N. 13th St. People will meet in room 104 of the Architecture Building. It’s open to anyone identifying as a woman, transgender or any other femme-gender identity.
Volunteers will be on hand to teach people basic bike-maintenance skills. Attendees are also encouraged to come with specific questions. Basic tools will be on hand.
WTF Cycles will host open Second Sundays every month. The meeting on Feb. 14 will also take place at Tyler. The March and April workshops will take place at Cycles PHL, 1426 W. Susquehanna Ave.
— Paige Cooperstein
Mediation set in Morris case
A mediation session between PGN and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office regarding the Nizah Morris incident is scheduled for Jan. 12.
The session, which will be held in Center City, is sponsored by the state Office of Open Records.
Morris was a trans woman found with a fatal head wound shortly after a “courtesy ride” from Philadelphia police in 2002. Her homicide remains unsolved.
PGN is seeking a certified copy of all 911 recordings pertaining to the Morris incident in the possession of the D.A.’s Office. So far, the D.A.’s Office hasn’t complied with PGN’s request.
The mediation session is non-binding, and all discussions that take place must be confidential.
Court proceeding set in gay-bashing civil case
A pre-trial conference is scheduled for later this month in a civil case stemming from a Center City assault of two gay men in 2014.
In September, Francis McGlinn, who reportedly was present during the assault, filed a notice in Common Pleas Court that he planned to sue Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and Archdiocese spokesperson Kenneth A. Garvin for slander.
McGlinn lost his position as an assistant basketball coach at Archbishop Wood High School, reportedly due to his presence at the scene of the assault. But he wasn’t charged with any criminal wrongdoing.
McGlinn’s formal complaint detailing his allegations hadn’t been filed as of presstime.
A case-management conference on the matter is scheduled for 11 a.m. Jan. 15 in Room 613 of City Hall.
In October, Philip R. Williams and Kevin J. Harrigan pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges stemming from the incident and received probation.
In December, a Philadelphia jury convicted Kathryn G. Knott of simple assault and related offenses. She awaits sentencing in February.
Neither side had a comment for this story.
Township spent $418 on adult-bookstore ordinance
Berlin Township, N.J., officials say they spent $418.50 in legal fees to prepare an ordinance limiting the hours of operation of an LGBT-oriented adult bookstore in the township.
The dollar amount was disclosed last month in response to an open-records request filed by PGN.
Mayor Phyllis A. Magazzu didn’t respond to a follow-up question seeking the identity of the individual or entity receiving the funds.
The ordinance, which passed unanimously last month, limits the hours of operation of Red Barn Bookstore and Berlin News Agency. The businesses must stop operating between midnight-9 a.m. Monday-Friday and all day Sunday.
Red Barn caters to the LGBT community and Berlin News Agency caters to the non-LGBT community.
Thomas Sherwood, owner of Red Barn, said the ordinance is unconstitutional and he intends to file a legal challenge.
In a statement to PGN, township solicitor Eric J. Riso described the ordinance as “sexual-preference neutral” and said it passes constitutional muster.
Inmate requests court-appointed attorney
Kenneth J. Houck Jr., an openly gay federal inmate who was brutally beaten by two other inmates at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia four years ago, is requesting a court-appointed attorney.
Houck is suing the federal Bureau of Prisons for $1.8 million in damages.
He sustained multiple fractures to his right leg due to the incident and continues to walk with a limp, according to court records.
In a recent filing, Houck said he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and isn’t capable of litigating the matter himself.
As of presstime, U.S Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya hadn’t ruled on Houck’s request
In 2011, Houck pleaded guilty to one count of transporting child pornography. His scheduled release date is May 18, 2018.
BOP spokesperson Ed Ross declined to comment for this update.
— Timothy Cwiek