It is Time to Start Voting in the 21st Century!

Hon. Margaret Tartaglione, Philadelphia Commissioner
Hon. Joseph Duda, Philadelphia City Commissioner
Hon. Edgar Howard, Philadelphia City Commissioner
Mr. Zachary Stalberg, President and CEO, Committee of Seventy
Mr. Marc Stier, Outreach Director, Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks
Hon. Robert Brady, Chairman, Philadelphia Democratic City Committee
Hon. Vito Canuso, Chairman, Philadelphia Republican City Committee

With the 2005 Municipal races right around the corner and very important elections coming up in 2006, it is time to make a clean sweep through the offices of City Hall and the cubicles at Delaware and Spring Garden. In this day and age, with elected and high-ranking government officials being indicted left and right, the most logical place to start cleaning up this City is at the polls. It is here that our elected officials are chosen to represent this great republic. It is here where men and women, of all races and creeds, come every spring and fall to do their civic duty. It is here that all the corruption and mismanagement begins. From the lawyer in Mount Airy that was not able to get their poll watcher certificate that they submitted to Delaware and Spring Garden, to the college student in Mayfair who either wasn't able to get her absentee ballot or her application was never processed, to the elderly grandmother in Mantua who is not able to vote because her polling place is in a vacant funeral home with approximately 20 step leading to the front door, to the numerous groups of energetic progressives in University City that aren't able to get accurate street lists or election boards so that they can work, through the candidate of their choice, to make their city a better place to live and work and finally, to the hard working Philadelphians in Pennsport, Point Breeze, Port Richmond, and Parkwood that want honest and fair elections to coincide with honest and fair governments. In the last election, both sides of the aisle pulled out all the punches to get their candidates elected. Moveon.org, ACT and ACORN were in almost every division, meeting all walks of life and registering them, in the oddest of places: vacant lots, boarded up houses, workplaces, so that they or their surrogate could vote on election day. The Republican Party isn't exempt either; they had teams of people all over the city, in neighborhoods like West Oak Lane, West Kensington and West Philly, where there usually isn't a Republican presence. This was more of a wake up call than anything.
Lawyers, from both the DNC and RNC, landed in Philadelphia and were greeted by the Cradle of Liberty in all its gleaming 21st century majestic in the forms of Liberty One and Two, the Kimmel Center, and even the new terminal at the Philadelphia International Airport. However, such awe and amazement was short lived. As much as one polishes a rotten apple, the fruit on the inside does not taste so sweet. When these groups descended on the various neighborhoods, they found a city in which elections were still stuck in the 19th century. They had visions of Tammany Hall, not Independence Hall.
Elections in this city are very old-fashioned. It is nearly impossible to receive all the poll watchers certificates for which you applied. It s nearly impossible to find a polling places that meets even early 20th century standards, such as running water, handicap accessibility and the right not vote in bars and Democratic Headquarters. It is nearly impossible get accurate, up-to-date data from the City Commissioners office.
Now is the time to make a concerted bi/tri-partisan effort to search and identify sufficient polling places within an election division and if none is available, to look beyond that division so that citizens can cast their ballots in clean, voter friendly environments. Now is the time to establish a computer program that will expedite the processing of watcher certificates, while at the same time turning a blind eye to partisan politics. Now is the time to temporarily shut down the City Commissioners office, so that they can take the time to load all pertinent information onto a computer database so that regular men and women can have the kind of access to public records that now only the politicians and their friends enjoy.
We are calling on all City Commissioners to reform their offices for the betterment of the populous. We are calling on the Committee of Seventy to begin this new era by breathing a breath of fresh air into this stale political environment. We are calling on the leaders of both parties to reach out to their members to make them aware that their priorities are aligned with the Nation, as a whole, to incorporate the Help America Vote Act into mainstream election referendums. We are calling on the Neighborhood Networks to stay true to their mission and to connect with their neighbors to make the voice of the majority heard. It is time for the neighborhoods of Philadelphia to leave the past behind and chart a new path to future.

Not For Sale...We're Staying!

With the arising number of homes going up for sale in Mayfair and the Lower Northeast, the Mayfair Civic Association has launched a lawn sign frenzy in Mayfair to put investors on notice that neither their home nor their neighborhood is for sale.
If you live in Mayfair and are interested in joining the Civic Association and would like a sign, contact President Scott Cummings at mayfaircivic2003@aol.com. If you do not live in Mayfair, urge your local Civic Association to adopt this policy. If you live in a neighborhood that is not represented by a Civic Association, start one yourself. The Neighborhood Civic PAC will be happy to assist you in this endeavor.
Contact the Neighborhood Civic PAC by emailing neighborhoodcivicpac@yahoo.com.

Lisa Deeley Should Stay In The Race

http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/12194096.htm

Lisa Deeley has worked tirelessly for Rhawnhurst, she should stay in the race so that the people of Rhawnhurst have a friend in Harrisburg. The way it looks now is that Sabatina Sr. has been trying for years to get his candidate and it looks like he found him...

Our friends over at Politics Philly http://www.politicsphilly.com/node/135 have taken a look at this already as well...

Gar Joseph Open House with room for only oneFAVE EMERGES FOR PROBABLE VACANT NE SEAT
LISA DEELEY will reopen some old wounds next year if she persists on a path to run for the state House seat being vacated by her boss, state Rep. Alan Butkovitz.
Butkovitz is the Democratic nominee for city controller. He's a strong favorite to win in November. A win means his Northeast Philadelphia seat goes vacant in January.
The People Who Run the City have already decided that John Sabatina Jr., 34, an assistant district attorney and son of John Sabatina Sr., should fill the seat.
Sabatina Sr. is leader of the powerful 56th Ward. He is feared, not loved. That is what you want if you are in politics.
Labor leader John Dougherty, a former Sabatina foe, is chairman of the committee to draft Sabatina Jr. Dougherty is a 2007 mayoral hopeful, and having Sabatina on his team is a must.
Even though Deeley, 38, has served as Butkovitz's top constituent-services aide for 12 years, he too is expected to back young Sabatina.
Labor leader Pat Gillespie is on board and labor leader Sam Staten is expected.
The old wounds stem from Deeley's attempt to seize control of Sabatina Sr.'s ward a few years ago. Sabatina, for his part, tried to get her fired.
Deeley thinks the "Draft Sabatina" committee is "ridiculous because everyone knows he's going to run."
She says she's looking to challenge Sabatina Jr. in next May's primary, "because there's been a groundswell of support that is compelling me to keep my options open."
Deeley lunched with Dougherty at Chickie's and Pete's on Monday. Neither would disclose the nature of the discussion, but Clout thinks it may be the first step toward an offer.
The offer, of course, would be one that Deeley can't refuse. One that would cause her to skip a primary battle in exchange for a job she might like.
Dougherty would only say, "They are two very talented people and I'd like to see both John and Lisa stay in the political arena. I believe you'll ultimately get some kind of resolution there."

The City's Dems are Cheesy

Courtesy of Business Week Online

http://www.businessweek.com/@@CiVB22YQvXBV0xYA/premium/content/05_31/c3945003_mz003.htm#ZZZ2KR2KEBE

A Cheesy Way To Lure VotersIn Philadelphia they're calling it "The Cheese Caper." A Deputy City Commissioner asked the District Attorney's office to investigate who passed out flyers on primary election day -- May 17 -- promising free cheese to voters for particular candidates. The flyers are topped by a handwritten scrawl, "Come Out + Vote," adding below, "For Who Ever." In type, they say "Free Cheese." The flyers list two candidates, both Democrats, running in an area dominated by the 300-plus-unit Hill Creek housing project. "This guy comes to the polls, votes, and asks us for his free cheese," says Eileen Kleindienst, a Republican judge of elections. Geraldine Hacker, the Republican official who sent Kleindienst's complaint to the DA, thought the food might be from a government nutrition program.The woman who wrote the flyers, Hill Creek tenant council President Gerri Robinson, doesn't think she did anything wrong. "The people around here, you can't get them to come out and do nothing unless you're giving them something," she says. Besides, she adds, the flyers worked: The two cases of cottage cheese were gone by day's end.

By Eamon Javers

Special Thanks to Geri Hacker for taking the bull by the horns on this issue. Maybe Geri should run for Commssioner!

Castor for Congress

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/local/12192453.htm

Castor considering Congress

The Republican district attorney said he may run for the 13th District seat held by Allyson Schwartz.By Marc Schogol and Jeff ShieldsInquirer Staff Writers
With the prospects of running for governor dim, Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce L. Castor Jr. is considering a race for Congress.
Republican Party leaders are urging Castor to make a run at retaking the historically Republican 13th District seat now held by freshman Democrat Allyson Y. Schwartz.
After meeting last week with Republican congressional leaders in Washington - including House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert - Castor confirmed yesterday that he is pondering a congressional run but that he has reservations.
"It would be a big change for me," he said, adding that he doesn't know whether he wants to spend that much time away from his family. "I'll have to speak with my wife."
Plus, he said, it will be tough to unseat Democrat Schwartz with Democrat Gov. Rendell running at the top of the ticket. "I don't doubt that I could put on a good showing," he said, "but I'm unsure if that's what I want to do."
Montgomery County Republican Chairman Ken Davis said that the race would be very competitive, but that he believed "Bruce would be successful if he ran."
Castor has said he's been sounded out about running for governor next year. But Davis said there are a number of other Republican gubernatorial aspirants, while "the path is clearer if he wanted to go for Congress."
Although Castor had challenged and criticized some powerful Republicans when he ran against the endorsed candidate for state attorney general last year, Davis said he's been doing some fence-mending.
The main target of those attacks, Republican national committeeman Bob Asher, said yesterday that "if Mr. Castor decides to run for Congress, I have every intention of supporting him."
In the post-2000 Census redistricting, the 13th was redrawn to include a portion of Northeast Philadelphia. When incumbent Democrat Joe Hoeffel, who had captured the seat from the Republicans, decided to make what proved to be an unsuccessful challenge to U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter (R., Pa.) last year, Schwartz, a veteran Philadelphia state senator, handily won the seat.
About the possibility of facing Castor next year, Schwartz's chief of staff, Daniel McElhatton, said her standing in the district had only gotten stronger.
"In just six months, she's really proved herself in Washington," McElhatton said. "She's already demonstrated the ability to deliver for the folks of the 13th District."
Contact staff writer Marc Schogol at 610-313-8112, or mschogol@phillynews.com.

Get a scanner...

The Philadelphia City Commissioners have a hefty job. They also have many tools at their disposal for which to accomplish these jobs. Nevertheless, a scanner doesn't appear to be one of these tools. Everything you get from the Commissioner is in hard copy and run through the printer. Wouldn't it be easier to have docs (such as payroll sheets) scanned into the computer as a PDF file. I am not the most computer literate person, but there are things we need to accomplish in City Hall. One example of this is when one needs a street list they should be able to go to a website and type in their ward and division and hit print or atleast be able to email someone and have them send it back. However, if you want to get one now, you have to drive down to Delaware and Spring Garden and fight for a parking spot, take the elevator up to the fifth floor. Go to the counter and ask for a street list. The guy behind the counter (either Bob Lee or the other burly guy) will then give you the inquisition ie where are you from, what do you need it for, who is it for, etc. Then after this give and go of about 15 minutes the will give it to you. You get back into to your car and drive back to your part of the city. This process takes roughly an hour and a half to two hours and requires much effort. This shouldn't be the case, if this info was all in a computer somewhere, either via scanner or data entry, this could take 2 seconds with very little effort. But I guess some people want it that way. Maybe we could team up with the Neighborhood Networks, to get some reform done. They are always talking about reform, how about some election reform in the city. This could all start with getting a scanner.

Kemp Gets 10 years ( I guess that new deck on the back of his house isn't going to get much use)

Reprinted from Philly.com
Corey Kemp sentenced to 10 yearsBy John ShiffmanInquirer Staff Writer
A federal judge sentenced former City Treasurer Corey Kemp to 10 years in prison today, saying he “engaged in a corruption scheme that damaged the citizens and the image of Philadelphia.”
“You not only cheated the city,” U.S. District Judge Michael M. Baylson told Kemp, “you cheated the state, the federal government and your church. It is very discouraging because you had so much promise. You have only yourself to blame.”
Addressing the court before he was sentenced, Kemp apologized “to my family, friends and the citizens of Philadelphia for having to endure this case.”
“I’m not here to dispute facts because I was convicted by a jury,” Kemp said before a courtroom jammed with friends, family, defense lawyers, FBI agents, court officials and journalists. “I’m asking for mercy. I made have mistakes but I did not have any criminal intent… I gave the my best effort to get the best deals for the city of Philadelphia.”
Knowing that Baylson had warned him to be prepared to face immediate imprisonment, Kemp asked to remain free on bail pending appeal, or at least long enough to say goodbye to his wife, mother and three small children.
Baylson declined. A U.S. deputy marshal handcuffed Kemp and led him from the courtroom.
Kemp was convicted in May of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, extortion, welfare fraud, filing false tax returns and other frauds. Jurors found that he accepted gifts, bribes, sporting tickets, a deck and $10,000 cash to steer municipal contracts to lawyer Ronald A. White, a Mayor Street confidant, and his allies. Kemp was also convicted of falsifying his income taxes, defrauding his church and a state welfare-to-work program.
“This is not just a case of Mr. Kemp getting dinners and tickets,” Baylson said. “He stole from his church ... a greedy crime.”
Kemp’s lawyer, L. George Parry, called it “a source of great frustration that I was not able to get the jury to agree with me” that his client didn’t break the law. "He simply played the pay-to-play game."
“All this is,” he said, “is political patronage, which is not illegal. ... That’s how we get U.S. attorneys, and dare I say it, how we get judges. ... If this were a baseball team, Corey Kemp would be the bat boy.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Zauzmer said what Kemp did was indeed illegal - he accepted bribes to help White secure business.
“Why? Because Ron White offered more to him than the fidelity and trust of the citizens of Philadelphia,” Zauzmer said. “He’s a criminal.”
Before he was sentenced, several of Kemp’s relatives and friends urged Baylson to allow him to remain free on bail, pending appeal.
Richard Kemp said: “My brother went to football and basketball games, and an All-Star-game and a Super Bowl. He had rich friends.”
“This is about a lot more that,” Baylson shot back. “He stole from his own church and people he worked with. ... It just defies reason to understand what happened.”
“I guess he got caught up with some bad people,” the brother replied.
Co-defendant Janice R. Knight, convicted of lying to FBI agents, was sentenced yesterday to five-and-a-half months in prison and fined $100,000. For more than a decade, Knight was White’s girlfriend.
Baylson permitted Knight to remain free until her appeals are resolved.
Three other defendants are to be sentenced later. Detroit businessman La-Van Hawkins will be sentenced on Aug. 16. Two Commerce Bank executives, Glenn Holck and Steve Umbrell, will probably be sentenced in October.
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/12170010.htm

Thursday Night Kick-Off

COMMITTEE TO DRAFT SCOTT CUMMINGS CITY COUNCIL 2007

DEAR CIVIC MINDED CITIZENS,

Please join us for the kickoff fundraiser for THE NEIGHBORHOOD CIVIC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE. The Neighborhood Civic PAC is a medium for like-minded Philadelphia residents to carry out public service initiatives. The Neighborhood Civic PAC is designed to jump start local civic associations in various neighborhoods and resurrect ones that were once mighty. We also hope to assist such associations get acclimated to the political process so they may utile this to the advantage of the constituency they serve.

One of the main goals of the PAC is to DRAFT SCOTT CUMMINGS FOR CITY COUNCIL IN 2007. Scott has already proven his abilities as a leader by resurrecting the Mayfair Civic Association, which now boasts nearly 1000 members. He has handled many neighborhood issues, such as The WOW Skating Rink after 12 years of trouble, personally called School CEO Paul Vallas to rebuild Lincoln High School and recommended its downsizing and helped energize a new Mayfair Town Watch which was named “Townwatch of the Year” by the Philadelphia Police Department. Scott’s effort for the neighborhoods is tireless. For this reason please join us as we attempt to draft this proven civic leader for City Council.

WHERE: Liberties Restaurant & Bar
2nd & Fairmount Sts.

WHEN: Thursday, July 21, 2005 6:00pm

DONATION: $25.00 OPEN BAR/BUFFET

Please come out and make an investment in the neighborhood. Help keep the neighborhood a great place to live and work. See you there!!

If you are unable to attend the event, please consideration a donation to the PAC for a worthy cause….YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!!!!.




NEIGHBORHOOD CIVIC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

For more information please call 215-292-3926 or e-mail neighborhoodcivicpac@yahoo.com

Is the Pope in Mayfair?

The day after the Pope died I was at the the gym (Bushbeck's Gym on the 8000 Block of Craig St in Mayfair), I looked over to a poster on the wall only to see the Pope's face smiling back at me. I do not know if this is a coincidence, however, I have posted the picture for your perusal. As you can see, in the top right corner you will see the half of the Pope's face along with his mitre (sp?) complete with full crucifix.

Cummings for Council? (Reprinted from Wednesday's Daily News)

Cummings for Council?
Lobbyist and former City Council candidate Sean Reilly (best known lately for being the brother of Sen. Vince Fumo's girlfriend Terri Reilly) met with Neighborhood Civic PAC members Joe DeFelice and Ed Dixon the other day at the Palm (200 S. Broad) about drafting Mayfair Civic Association president Scott Cummings, a Republican, to run for City Council in 2007. Cummings is considering a run for Joan Krajewski's 6th District seat, which she'll vacate in 2007. Democratic front runner is state Rep. Mike McGeehan, who hasn't yet announced his candidacy. A Cummings fundraiser is scheduled for 6 p.m. July 21 at Liberties (2nd & Fairmount). There's an open bar and buffet for those with a $25 check for the Neighborhood Civic PAC.
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/columnists/dan_gross/12119552.htm

What is Wrong with Delaware and Spring Garden?

In the World of Meetups and Text Messages,
we still have offices in the city of Philadelphia that do not use technology for elections.
Watchers Certificates
In order to apply for a watchers certificate in Philadelphia you must do so via a handwritten yellow sheet of paper (which cannot be scan and submitted via email) i.e. you must drop it off. Then, a person looks up each individual name of such proposed watcher, on some antiquated computer program that has a blinking full cursor as well as a black screen with green writing, and decides (arbitrarily I might add) whether or not that person is worthy of a watchers certificate i.e. they may see John Smith at 300 Main Street but your application said “John M. Smith” or “301 Main Street”. Then, if you are lucky enough to receive a cert, the person will mark ok next to your name on the sheet and if you are not ok, they will cross it out. Mind you they do this for every watcher that comes in. Then, either Teddy Picano or a few older women will write each individual name on yellow pieces of paper. This paper is a binder and split into three equal sizes sheets separated by perforation. They then take a stack of roughly 100 at a time to emboss. Instead of stamping each one, they push a stack under the seal so that the certificates in the middle don’t get the seal. This makes them much more susceptible to challenges because of their lack of seal. There are 1680 polling places in the city and there are atleast 4 watchers (2Rep and 2Dem) at each polling place. This is a total of 6700 total names. These are then torn into 3 pieces and put in an envelope for you to pick up. All the while getting smoke into your face by Ted Picano, when last time I checked smoking was banned in all city buildings.This is not effective government; it is rather disturbing. If you do not receive all of of your certificates, you can go down to Delaware and Spring Garden and hand in your request on Election Day. Mr. Picano would receive your request look generally annoyed and ask whom they were for. He would then take a long drag of his cigarette complain to the guy next to him and then assume his position at the antiquated computer. At which point while only half way through looking up the names, he would exclaim, “I’m Done. Can’t do anymore.” You may ask, "are you serious?” and he'll mumble something. Nevertheless, rather than stand there and fight with Mr. Picano, you proceed on, because that is the way it has always been done in Philadelphia.
This could easily be rectified with a computer program, even a simple one such as mail merge, i.e. I email you the names (or better yet, fill out a form on your website), and the computer cross checks it against a database and a printer spits out the ones that receive watchers (onthe actual certificate), complete with a seal and all, but I don’t see that happening in Philadelphia. If John Smith cannot get one, the computer should lets you know what was wrong, so that you can rectify the situation, all in time for the Election. But that makes too much sense, something that has been lacking at Delaware and Spring Garden.

Johnny Doc for Mayor? (Reprinted from the Philadelphia Daily News)

Letters
THE MAIN EVENT: JOHNNY DOC vs. DAVE DAVIES

John Dougherty has done more for this city than most elected officials. Look at the boards on which he sits - Redevelopment Authority, Delaware River Port Authority, Variety Club, just to name a few.
He also has given out cribs to poor families in North Philly, Local 98's Toys for Tots has been an extremely successful philanthropic event, and he paid for the headstone for Porchia Bennett, the little girl who was savagely murdered, when no one else would step forward.
On the local scene, I have been a Republican my whole life. I volunteered on both Sam Katz campaigns and headed Election Day operations in Philly for Bush-Cheney '04. But John is right to ask, "Sam who?"
Every couple of years, Mr. Katz pops back onto the scene as the new savior. Now I may disagree with John on several issues, including some national ones as well as his steadfast support of Mayor Street, but as legal counsel to the Mayfair Civic Assn., I understand what it is like to be involved in the community, and no one has been more involved in the community than Johnny Doc.
Joseph J. DeFelice, Philadelphia

To View whole letter not edited by the Daily News,
Including the following ending:
As a Republican, I would love to support a viable Republican Candidate, however if we do not have one, I would like to see someone that will do the best for the neighborhoods. I know what is like to see people do for their communities, including the likes of Northeast Philly State Representatives John Perzel, John Taylor, Denny O'Brien and George Kenney. I would love to see John Dougherty added to that mix as Mayor of Philadelphia.

CLICK HERE http://neighborhoodcivicpac.blogspot.com/2005/07/whole-letter-not-edited-by-daily-news.html

Want Change? Start at the Polls!

Every May and November, no matter what part of the city they live; men and women of all colors and creeds, not to mention political parties, wake up and go to the polls to vote for the candidates that are on the ballot. Most of these polls are in walking distance from their own home. On May 17, 2005, all across the City people casted their ballots at numerous polling places. Many people, out in Northwest Philly, the 50th Ward, chose between Lynn Abraham and Seth Williams in the Democratic Primary. Many also did this at Finley Playground, a voter friendly, handicap accessible location. Next, out in West Philly, in the 3rd, 4th and 6th Wards, in community centers and public buildings, this battle was also waged as well as deciding which judicial or traffic court candidate is their flavor. Seems pretty regular right?
What about our friends in the 48th Ward, 4th division in South Philly? When they go to the Polls, they must push aside “40’s” of beer and shots of whiskey in order to get to their machine. This establishment, you see, is a tavern, which according to old customs, was supposed to be closed on Election Day. However, it is open and there are steps one must escalate in order to get inside. This is not our idea of handicap accessible.
Next, on the other side of South Philly, in Whitman and Pennsport, when other neighbors are voting in Mummers’ Halls or the Dickinson Square Rec Center, the people of the 1st Ward, 5th division are graced with the smiling face of the esteemed Senator from Philadelphia, one Vincent J. Fumo. This polling place serves as the 1st Ward Democrat Headquarters. I bet the Republican Committeeperson feels just as much at home outside, as the Republican poll watcher on the inside. I’m sure John Morley, who ran against Mr. Fumo, was not allowed to wear his buttons inside that polling place, but we am also sure that anything that said “Fumo” was not taken down or covered up.
Outside of these direct inadequacies and wrongs, there are also polling places listed by the Commissioners as “Vacant Residence”, “Vacant Store Front” or better yet "Vacant Funeral Home"; most without running water or electricity. This is unsafe and unfair to these voters. Also, aside from these, too many private residences are being used as polling places instead of large, handicap accessible community centers that are in the adjacent divisions.
Why am I bringing this up now? This is an off year for elections, many judicial positions are open as well as the row offices. There aren’t many initiatives on the ballot. The turnout is going to be low. We have heard them all, but the main reason we are bringing this up now, is that last year, the local parties and Mr. Bob Lee, as well as our three elected Commissioners, turned this into a race issue, i.e. that Republicans were trying to suppress the minority vote, while at the same time agreeing that these polling places were improper. They voted against the move last year, not because all the proposed places were handicap accessible or they were not in bars or because other were not in a senator’s office, rather, they voted no because of a technicality. They cited late filing; I cite laziness and their laissez faire approach to change in this city.
It is now eight months later and those polling place remain. Why you ask? Because this city is scared of change. The corruption that stews in City Hall also trickles down to the Commissioners' office as well as over to Delaware and Springarden. So, Commissioners Tartaglione, Duda and Howard, do the right thing this time, don’t make it a partisan issue, don’t make it a race issue and don’t make it a customary issue, make it the right thing to do and move those polling places for the health and well being, not to mention fairness, of those individuals that are doing their civic duty, by voting there.

Courtesy of our friends at politicsphilly.com

Krajewski to Retire: 6th District Council Seat Up for GrabsSubmitted by Tulin on Thu, 2005-07-07 16:24.
Democrat City Councilwoman Joan L. Krajewski, who represents the 6th District and much of Northeast Philadelphia, is not expected to run for reelection when her term is up in 2007. The 71 year old Krajewski will have served 7 terms in office.
Republican Scott Cummings, president of the Mayfair Civic Association is unofficially running for the 6th District seat that will be vacated by Krajewski.
He’ll attend the fund-raiser and speak on issues, but he will not declare his candidacy because, under the Home Rule Charter, he’d have to resign his job in security for the Philadelphia Parking Authority.The fundraiser for Cummings is being held by the Neighborhood Civic PAC on July 21st. Newly formed, the PAC boasts a membership including Kevin Cauley, Joseph J. DeFelice, Esq.Edward J. Dixon, Kevin Kelly,Joseph McColgan, Saverio "Sam" Mirarchi, Esq., Sean Reilly, Esq., and Stephanie Steward.
Krajewski's retirement marks the start of what is likely to be a long list of Council vacancies come 2007. Several City Council members are expected to officially declare their candidacy for Mayor, which means they will have to resign their seat.

Dixon speaks his mind with respect to the Stack Land Deal

http://www.northeasttimes.com/2005/0707/letters.html

Land dealis self-serving.
Regarding the article Stack stands pat with land (June 16 edition), its content notes, "the legislator (Stack) did not publicly reveal his interest in Beach Street Corp., arguing later that a Senate Democratic attorney told him to simply skip the vote" while the final sentence stated, "he (Stack) listed his ownership in Beach Street on financial disclosure forms before and after his 2000 election to the Senate."While comprehending the aforementioned, a plethora of questions come to mind: Why didn’t Stack make public his ownership interest? Why did he feel it was sufficient to simply skip the vote?
Does Stack agree with Ameristar’s statement when the firm noted it was "unaware of the potential for conflict of interest concerns as a result of Sen. Mike Stack’s alleged failure to adequately disclose his 4-percent interest in Beach Street Corporation in accordance with Senate rules?" Are the needs of the residents of the 5th Senatorial District being adequately addressed when its senator is forced to allocate resources in an ongoing effort to explain the subject issue?As Stack noted, he listed his ownership on financial disclosure forms before and after his 2000 election, but logic suggests to me that this act alone does not suffice. If so, why the controversy?
Stack insults our intelligence by continuing to promote the ideal that "he does not have a say in how the company is run and has no interest in being involved in gaming." Stack was unaware of the details of a potential business opportunity that was going to generate $1.6 million due to his 4 percent interest? He was not aware of the potential buyer’s industry? The Las Vegas-based Ameristar Casino, Inc. (noted above) initiated a $40 million option on the subject land, which in addition to the senator’s previously noted proceeds, would have generated an additional $14.4 million for other family members who have ownership interests (his mother’s 20 percent and four siblings at 4 percent each). Quite a rewarding stream of additional income for a "public servant" and his family.
Regardless of party affiliation, it is shameful when an elected official conducts himself in such a manner. Our free market economy enables individuals to capitalize on opportunities similar to the subject, but not at the expense of one’s public office.Ed DixonTorresdale resident, member of Neighborhood Civic PAC. Reprinted courtesy of the Northeast Times.

Cummings is in the Running for City Council

Cummings in the runningfor Council seat

As the 2005 election cycle remains quiet, attention is turning to campaigns two years away.The Neighborhood Civic Political Action Committee will hold its kickoff fund-raiser on Thursday, July 21, at 6 p.m. at Liberties Restaurant & Bar, at Second Street and Fairmount Avenue.Tickets cost $25.The committee has been formed to draft Scott Cummings to run for the 6th Councilmanic District seat in 2007.Cummings, a Republican, serves as president of Mayfair Civic Association. He’ll attend the fund-raiser and speak on issues, but he will not declare his candidacy because, under the Home Rule Charter, he’d have to resign his job in security for the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
The 6th district seat will be up or grabs in 2007 since Councilwoman Joan Krajewski, a Democrat, is retiring after seven terms.For now, Cummings appears to be the only Republican candidate.Possible Democratic candidates include Washington Savings Association CEO and School Reform Commission member Marty Bednarek, Finnigan’s Wake owner Mike Driscoll, state Rep. Mike McGeehan and Dennis Kelly, who works for the city Bureau of Administration Adjudication. ••Reprinted courtesy of the Northeast Times
http://www.northeasttimes.com/2005/0707/cummings.html

Whole Letter not edited by the Daily News

All the sudden news surrounding John Dougherty and Sam Katz, including the several misconceptions, has led me to respond. John has done more for this city than most elected officials. Look at the boards on which he sits, the Redevelopment Authority, the Delaware River Port Authority, the Variety Club, just to name a few. He also has given out cribs to poor families in North Philly, Local 98's Toys for Tots has been extremely successful philanthropic event, and I might add, he stepped forward to pay for the headstone for Portia Bennett, the little girl who was savagely murdered, when no one else would step forward.
I have been a Republican my whole life, I volunteered on both Katz Campaigns and headed up Election Day Ops in Philly for Bush-Cheney ‘04, I have to say John is right in asking, “Sam who?” Every couple of years Mr. Katz pops back into the scene as the new savior. Now I may disagree with John on several issues including some National ones as well as his steadfast support of Mayor Street, but I might add, as Legal Counsel to the Mayfair Civic Association, I understand what it is like to be involved in the Community, and no one has been more involved in the Community than Johnny Doc. Take a walk down 2nd Street and you will see what a close tight knit community really is. Everyone knows each other, grandparents, parents, great grandparents, sons, daughters grandchildren. This community epitomizes Philadelphia. This community has been able to thrive because of Johnny Doc and such things as the EOM Night of Champions (of which our own Mayfair Night of Champions appears to patterned after), the Ernie Schlembeck memorial, and the Local 98 Scholarship Dinner. As a Republican, I would love to support a viable Republican Candidate, however if we do not have one, I would like to see someone that will do the best for the neighborhoods. I know what is like to see people do for their communities, including the likes of Northeast Philly State Representatives John Perzel, John Taylor, Denny O'Brien and George Kenney. I would love to see John Dougherty added to that mix as Mayor of Philadelphia.
Joseph J. DeFelice, Esq.Republican Committeeperson