Republican getting ready for a run at Krajewski's seat

Republican getting readyfor a run at Krajewski’s seat
By Tom WaringTimes Staff Writer

Republicans haven’t had a fighting chance in the 6th Councilmanic District since popular Democrat Joan Krajewski was elected in 1979.Krajewski, though, has entered the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) and announced that she won’t run again in 2007.Now that the seat is up for grabs, the GOP believes it can win it. The Neighborhood Civic Political Action Committee has identified one potential candidate — Mayfair Civic Association president Scott Cummings.Cummings, 43, can’t announce his candidacy because he works as director of investigations for the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Under the city’s Home Rule Charter, he’d have to resign to run for office.The political action committee can raise money for prospective candidates, and Cummings seems to be welcoming the draft movement.About 200 people turned out last week for a fund-raiser at Liberties Bar & Restaurant at Second Street and Fairmount Avenue. The event raised about $8,000. "I’m very pleased," Cummings said. "A lot of people are showing support."Cummings is the only Republican candidate who has shown a real interest in the race.Possible Democratic candidates include School Reform Commission member Marty Bednarek, Finnigan’s Wake co-owner Mike Driscoll, state Rep. Mike McGeehan, Chickie’s & Pete’s owner Pete Ciarrocchi and Dennis Kelly, who works for the city Bureau of Administration Adjudication.All will be vying for the support of Krajewski and City Commissioner Marge Tartaglione, Democratic leader of the 62nd Ward.Driscoll plans a fund-raiser for September and already has campaign T-shirts printed. He ran for an at-large Council seat in 2003 but was hampered by a late start. If he doesn’t run for the district seat in two years, he will likely enter the at-large race.Another possible candidate is Krajewski. Rumors continue that she might decide to run again. She was unavailable for comment as the Times went to press. Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson and First Assistant District Attorney Arnie Gordon are among those who have gone back on the city payroll after retiring via DROP.If Krajewski bows out and Cummings wins the seat, he’d ask the veteran councilwoman to be his adviser."I’d reach out to Joan for guidance and advice," he said.Cummings, a former bodyguard for Henry Kissinger and Donald Trump, said he’ll talk with his family before deciding whether to enter the race.If he runs and is elected, he’d like to continue Krajewski’s focus on constituent services. He’d also empower civic associations and fund youth sports groups."Kids on courts stay out of courts," said Cummings, a board member with the Holy Terrors Youth Organization.The guest list at the fund-raiser included party leaders Vito Canuso and Mike Meehan; 55th Ward Republican leader Chris Vogler; civic leaders Reese Hartey, Al Mercadante and Glenn Devitt; GOP district attorney candidate Lou Schwartz; former political candidates Sam Mirarchi, David Oh and Barbara Cummings (Scott’s sister, who challenged Democratic state Sen. Michael O’Pake last year in a Berks County-based district); and Robert Esche, Todd Fedoruk and Riley Cote of the Flyers.The crowd also included Cummings’ family, friends and co-workers."I’d vote for him in a heartbeat," said Jeanne Frosch, a nursing student from Tacony, sister-in-law to state Rep. John Taylor and a possible challenger next year to McGeehan.Party leaders caution that the Council race is two years away.Meehan, who contends that a couple of unnamed Republicans are talking about moving into the district to run, thinks Cummings would make a good candidate."He’s a community guy. He’s got notoriety in fifty percent of the district. That’s a head start," he said.Vogler thinks Cummings can be a strong candidate because he plans a grass-roots campaign. He also thinks the Republican nominee will benefit because the seat will be open.In addition, the ward leader believes that the Democratic candidate could be weakened if his or her party nominates a mayoral candidate who is unpopular in the district."The Democratic Party does nothing for the citizens of Northeast Philadelphia, Joan Krajewski aside," he said.Hartey, president of the Mayfair Community Development Corporation, credits Cummings with running an active civic association and working to ensure that neighborhood youths are welcomed at WOW Family Fun Center.Mayfair is thriving, in his view, because of the close working relationship between Krajewski and Pennsylvania House Speaker John Perzel.Hartey thinks the 2007 Council race will be important for the neighborhood’s future. The next Council member must be someone who can work closely with Perzel, a Republican who lives in Lexington Park."In my opinion, that person is Scott Cummings," he said. ••

Reprinted from the Northeast Times

http://www.northeasttimes.com/2005/0728/cummings.html