Three years after casting her midnight vote in favor of slot parlors on our riverfront, and after months of community outrage and concern, State Representative Babette Josephs is playing catch-up yet again. This time, however, only after 2006 challenger Larry Farnese expressed the concerns of Philadelphians related to their homes, children and quality of life directly to voters and after Philadelphians were disenfranchised from the political process.

Josephs will introduce a bill limiting the sighting of slot parlors from within 1,500 feet of a school, place of worship or recreation center. Unfortunately, the bill does not protect many of our most valuable assets, our homes. In fact, homes are specifically excluded from the Joseph’s bill.

Larry Farnese, community leader and 2006 Democratic Candidate for the 182nd Legislative District, has been and will continue to be pro-active in the effort to protect our families, communities and working Philadelphians from irresponsible casino development. In addition to participating in Casino Free Philadelphia’s massive signature drive and being personally harassed by private investigators hired by casino developers, Farnese worked in the communities of the 182nd Legislative District and beyond to educate constituents and voters for the Casino Free referendum.

Farnese says “this is about leadership. In 2004, Philadelphia’s state delegation failed to look out for our families and communities. It is only now that citizens and city officials are taking matters into their own hands that we have a chance to protect ourselves, our homes and our jobs.”

In response to Joseph’s bill, Farnese provides “it’s unfortunate that in 2004, when she voted for Act 71 in the middle of the night, Representative Josephs did not offer similar amendments to protect our communities. Even while playing catch-up, however, she doesn’t understand our concerns—failing to protect our homes is a big mistake.” Farnese further provided, “clearly, this bill is nothing but pandering—Babette knows the results of the 2006 primary, and she knows my work in the community. Unfortunately, she is out of touch and lacks the ability to lead—instead she follows.”

Join Larry Farnese on Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. at 7th and Carpenter to demand that our State Delegation act to protect our families, communities and homes from irresponsible development.