CITY HALL SAM: N.E. Leaders All On Same Page (Not)

The Northeast Ward Leaders, formerly known as the gang that couldn’t shoot straight, held their endorsement meeting at Randi’s Restaurant last week. Over the years, these ward leaders have gathered to establish all the things that they do not agree on. Recently that’s changed. Nonetheless, they still have their issues of disagreement.

This time, it’s whom to endorse for the 172^nd Legislative Dist. The incumbent State Representative is KEVIN BOYLE, who defeated former Speaker of the House JOHN PERZEL in the last election. But 56TH WARD LEADER JOHN SABATINA and others are not on the Kevin Boyle bandwagon. As a result, they were able to postpone any endorsement in that seat for another day. Boyle’s primary opponent is public-school teacher DANILE COLLINS.

The Northeast Ward Leaders were able to endorse CONGRESSWOMAN ALLYSON SCHWARTZ for another term. She has demonstrated an ability to work with ward leaders and still be an independent mover and shaker in D.C. They also endorsed STATE SEN. MIKE STACK for reelection. Stack is one of their own, and is the leader of the 58th Ward.

STATE REPS. BRENDAN BOYLE, JOHN SABATINA, JR. and MIKE McGEEHAN were all unanimously endorsed. But that was an easy task, as none of them have primary opponents. In fact, McGeehan and Sabatina have no Republican opponents either. EDDIE NEILSON is the endorsed candidate against the winner of the Republican Primary to succeed DENNY O’BRIEN in the State House.

BOB HENON, the newly elected City Councilman, joined the dinner with the Northeast Ward Leaders to pay homage and update them on happenings in City Hall.

The Northeast Ward Leaders who were in attendance were LORI BEDNAREK and her husband MARTY of the 64th Ward; BOB DELLAVELLA of the 55th Ward; JANICE SULMAN, newly elected 53rd Ward Leader, PAT PARKINSON of the 57th Ward, ALAN BUTKOVITZ – the City Controller and Ward Leader in the 54th Ward; CONNIE DOUGHERTY, the 41st Ward Leader; BERNICE HILL, leader of the 63rd Ward; MIKE McALEER of Ward 66 B; and SHAWN DILLON of Ward 66 A, as well as the aforementioned Stack and Sabatina. Absent were WARD LEADERS MARGE TARTAGLIONE and JOAN KRAJEWSKI.

Many of the same Ward Leaders were seen at the 58th Ward St. Patrick’s Day Party last Friday. Also in attendance were STATE REP. ANGEL CRUZ and WILLIAM DUNBAR, the opponent of JOHN TAYLOR. Dunbar was accompanied by his lovely wife FAYE and appears ready to give Taylor a run for his money. Also in attendance were 33RD WARD LEADER DONNA AUMENT and 43RD WARD LEADER EMILIO VAZQUEZ.

St. Patrick’s Day ran long this year, starting last Sunday and ending this Saturday. All Irish politicians and all those that wish they were are relieved the partying will stop for at least a short time.

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