POLS ON THE STREET: Ethics Board Refutes A Jealous Critic

BY JOE SHAHEELI/ 

Saying one is a politician often raises cynical eyebrows and with it envy or distrust. Claiming you are a political consultant with a proven track record raises more eyebrows.

In the case of Working Families PAC, founded and run by Marion Wimbush, formerly of Mayor John Street’s inner staff, his is one of those PACs which spend the money they receive for the purpose of successfully getting out the vote and his candidates elected.

When one mentions Wimbush, a candidate knows he does what he promises. Candidates seek him out for help in their campaigns, which is why one unnamed jealous competitor complained to the Ethics Commission, demanding Executive Director J. Shane Creamer, Jr., probe the reports of Working Families PAC. Unaware he was the subject of a probe, Wimbush, from his headquarters on N. Broad Street, directly across from the Oak Lane Diner, complied with all the requests for materials, files, and interviews made by the Ethics Commission.

This past week Wimbush received the following letter from the Ethics Commission, signed by its executive director:

“Dear Mr. Wimbush:

“In 2011, based on information we received from a knowledgeable source, we initiated an investigation to determine whether Working Families PAC had made unreported or excess in kind contributions to a candidate for City office.

“Our investigation has revealed that Working Families PAC did not make unreported or excess in-kind contributions to any candidate for City office and therefore did not violate the City’s campaign finance law.  Accordingly, after providing notice to the Board as required by Ethics Board Regulation No. 2, I have terminated the investigation of Working Families PAC. “Thank you for your cooperation and courtesies in resolving this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.”

The only question worth asking would be who was the “knowledgeable source,” translated by us as “rat.” We suggest the Board of Ethics has enough to keep it busy without following tipoffs from jealous rats, unhappy that Wimbush and his Working Families PAC has an ethical standing that draws candidates to him.

STATE REP. W. Curtis Thomas honors elder women of 181st Legislative Dist. at Brunch at William H.Gray III Youth Center. Women were all over 90 years of age and honored for their contributions to their families and the community over the years.

VITO CANUSO CALLS G.O.P. WARD MEET

Republican City Committee County Chair Vito Canuso has called for all ward leaders to attend a meeting of the City Committee next Wednesday, the 13th, at the United Republican Club in Kensington. This is listed as a regular ward meeting.

Despite the fact a state-sponsored faction has declared elected a different chair, in effect declaring a civil war, Vito Canuso knows his job and what to do, hence the call of the chair to the meeting.

In the meantime, Rick Hellberg, the Chairman newly elected by the State GOP-affiliated faction, has chimed in on the school-choice support rally staged at City Hall. He noted, “We appreciate the efforts and support of Joe Watkins, former Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor, David Hardy, CEO of Boys’ Latin Charter School and former Republican candidate for City Council at Large and Dave Kralle, our current Republican candidate for State Representative in the 169th Dist. Their support and the efforts of organizations like Students First PA will bring needed relief to Philadelphia and all its citizens.”

HUG-A-VET event hosted by State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown (D-W. Phila.) Saturday was huge success. More than 300 people attended George T. Cornish American Legion Post 292 on Fairmount Avenue, including at least 30 veterans in uniform. Receiving special awards were five veterans.

ROONEY GETS BOOST WITH MAJOR GALA

Thirteenth Congressional Dist. Republican candidate Joe Rooney’s campaign to unseat incumbent Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz gets some needed funds from a gala hosted by Donna Parisi of the Tot Time chain of day-care facilities. The major fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, Jun. 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at A Child’s Place, 524 Sugartown Road, Devon, Pa. Tickets range from $150 to $1,000 and may be had by calling Maria Diezel at (610) 430-0271.

Joe Rooney, an NROTC graduate from Cornell University where he studied Mechanical Engineering, met his wife after earning his Navy Wings and while both were training to land on the aircraft carrier USS Constellation. She was among Navy’s first (Cont. Page 5) female jet pilots. Both retired. They have five children. For 21 years, Joe has been a pilot with Delta Air Lines and is now a B737 Captain.

Joe has served on several school boards and has actively participated in charity work, community volunteerism, and scouting. He is an avid hunter and sportsman. The Rooneys are members of Queen of Peace Parish in Ardsley, Pa.

CASTILLE LAUDS CT. FOR ELECTION WORK

Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ronald D. Castille reports the Commonwealth Court handled a record number of election cases in 2012 primary, more than double those filed in 2008, the last presidential election year. He noted the Commonwealth Court was able to dispose of those cases, on average, within 14 days of filing, and decisions were filed within three days of the hearing on the case.

“The commitment of the judges and their staffs, under the leadership of President Judge Dan Pellegrini, in hearing and disposing of these cases in a very compact time frame was impressive,” Chief Justice Castille said. “The hearings, in which emotions often ran high, were held in seven different courtrooms across the commonwealth and often ran well into the night so that one hearing would conclude before the next one began.”

The Commonwealth Court is one of Pennsylvania’s two statewide intermediate appellate courts. Established in 1968, the court is unlike any other state court in the nation. Its jurisdiction generally is limited to legal matters involving state and local government and regulatory agencies. Litigation typically focuses on such subjects as banking, insurance and utility regulation and laws affecting taxation, land use, elections, labor practices and workers compensation. The 131 election cases centered on objections to nomination petitions for statewide office.

SMITH BEGINS SEEKING PHILA. VOTERS

GOP US senatorial hopeful Tom Smith understands the value of Philadelphia as a make-or-break city for any statewide campaign. That’s why he’s sending Philadelphian Steve Stoner into this town to find the little oases that can be cultivated into this desert land for Republicans, using the old axiom “one Democrat voting for Smith means incumbent Sen. Bob Casey has to make it up with two Democrat votes to break even.”

WHY NOT JUDGE DOUGHERTY FOR THE SUPREME CT.?

With rumors growing Pennsylvania Justice Joan Melvin Orie may face considerable resistance to her continued tenure on the Court, and the possibility exists a vacancy will soon occur if she finds herself facing the same grueling gauntlet that led to her sister, State Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny), being sentenced to 2½ to 10 years in state prison, is it time to look for another Philadelphian to take a seat on the high bench?

The one judicial name mentioned with growing frequency is that of Administrative Judge of Family Court, Kevin Dougherty. The 50-year-old jurist has a record of innovations and achievements in Family Court, and he will have the support of local and possibly statewide unions through his brother, IBEW Local 98 chief John J. Dougherty, Jr. It would be a good move for this city, long bereft of sympatico support from the State Supreme Court.

PERZEL, DeWEESE SHARE A CELL

Who would have thought, General Assembly alumni now in prison would be sharing cell space in the state prison system? Former State House Speakers John Perzel and Bill DeWeese – each convicted of corruption – are now cellmates in a Camp Hill state prison. It’s reported the two men are able to pass the time talking over tricks they pulled on each other.

FINAL REAPPORTIONMENT PLAN WILL GET FINAL SAY-SO

The 2011 Legislative Reapportionment Commission will hold a Public Meeting on Friday, Jun. 8 at 2:00 p.m. in Hearing Room One of the North Office Building in Harrisburg. The purpose of this meeting is to vote on a final plan.

LOOKING FOR WORK? CHECK BROWNLEE SITE

Earning kudos for her efforts to bring job opportunities to her constituents, State Rep. Michelle Brownlee’s (D-N. Phila.) job search website is proving its worth, so much so, others are beginning to promote her efforts on the web. For more info as to how to reach her site or for an appointment to visit her district office at 2839 W. Girard Avenue, call (215) 684-3738.

STACK HOSTS GALA FOR DUNBAR

William Dunbar was the guest of honor at an Omni Hotel fundraiser sponsored by State Sen. Michael Stack (D-Northeast). Dunbar is State Rep. John Taylor’s (R-Kensington) first serious opposition for his 177th seat in a dozen years. Taylor has held the seat now for over a quarter of a century.

Dunbar has picked up the endorsements of Congressman Bob Brady and District Attorney Seth Williams as well as Stack.

TARTAGLIONE BILL AIDS STATE POLICE

State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione’s (D-Kensington) bill, which will raise revenue to fund State Police training classes while creating a fairer fine-distribution system, has cleared the Senate Appropriations committee. SB 237 will raise as much as $4 million for cadet training, while municipalities that provide less than 40 hours of local police coverage will lose their share of fines collected through State Police traffic stops.

CALVIN TUCKER POOH-POOHS HIS CHALLENGER

In a three-page documentation detailing how he rose from committeeman to the 22nd Ward’s Republican leadership, Calvin Tucker has prepared a detailed response to a challenge to his leadership from Kevin Kelly, who claims leadership of that ward as part of the state-affiliated group of city Republicans.

Tucker believes it is ludicrous that Kelly claims the leadership, since he was an outsider. He also says he has proof he replaced Aaron Finestone, then the ward leader, at Finestone’s request and after a regular ward vote.

If he or other Meehan-affiliated ward leaders ever get challenged in a court of law, they will need to demonstrate they have the legal standing. It would be up to a judge to confirm or deny such challenges to Tucker or Chair Vito Canuso and the RCC. Insiders don’t think a court challenge is in the works at the moment.

WILLIAMS LETS CITIZENS MAKE VIDEOS ON BUDGET

State Sen. Anthony Williams (D-W. Phila.), who serves as Democratic chair of the State Government Committee, has introduced a new feature on his website, Budget Stories. Constituents can submit a video up to three minutes long, offering their priorities for the 2012-13 budget. The feature can be found at http://www.senatoranthonyhwilliams.com/budget-stories.

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