CITY HALL SAM: Send Jobs, Please, Gov. Corbett

SAM STATEN, JR.’S Laborers’ Union held its annual awards dinner at the Sheraton City Center. The hotel is one of the only unionized hotels left in the city. The main honoree was WALT HIGGINS, Laborers’ Local 57 business manager. Higgins has worked tirelessly to compel the state and federal governments to invest in infrastructure.

Infrastructure investment means jobs. Right now, Pennsylvania has a $2.6 billion infrastructure deficit. That means the State should have spent that money to invest in roads and bridges already. Pennsylvania could end the problem of unemployment almost entirely by investing in infrastructure. The Laborers are well trained and would get the job done. And the taxes they would pay would help turn the economy around.

GOV. TOM CORBETT sent his best wishes to Walt Higgins and the Laborers. Next, he should send jobs.

CONGRESSMAN BOB BRADY demonstrated why he is the incumbent at a Delaire Landing candidates forum. Brady told the audience that he was “100% for gun control” and received a thunderous applause. His opponent JOHN FEATHERMAN was nearly booed when he claimed to be “100% for gun-owner rights.”

Also attending the forum was mayoral hopeful ALAN BUTKOVITZ, who is not even on the ballot; also the ubiquitous BOB HENON, who is not on the ballot. These condos along the Delaware River in Northeast Philadelphia have 1,100 votes. Needless to say, smart politicians pay attention and show up.

STATE SEN. Mike Stack stressed value of new Port Richmond, trail to his urban constituent neighborhoods – a project supported by Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, left, and a phalanx of city and state leaders such as Deputy Mayor Michael DiBerardinis, 2nd from left; DCNR Deputy Sec. John Giordano, 3rd from left; and State Rep. John Taylor, right.

The development of the Delaware River Greenway continued. CONGRESSWOMAN ALLYSON SCHWARTZ joined STATE SEN. MIKE STACK, COUNCILMAN DAVID OH, STATE REP. JOHN TAYLOR and DEPUTY MAYOR MICHAEL DiBERARDINIS to open the recently renovated Pulaski Park in Port Richmond. Now, the neighbors of Bridesburg and Port Richmond will have access to the river. They will also be connected to their neighbors in Center City and Northeast Philadelphia. The new park overlooks the river and will connect bike trails that have already been constructed in other neighborhoods. Also in attendance were Public Relations VP DON BRENNAN of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority and LISA DEELEY, the highly respected aide to Councilman Henon.

ED NEILSON was the guest of honor at a fundraiser at O’Donnell’s Irish Pub. A packed house included WARD LEADERS SHAWN DILLON and MIKE McALEER and State Sen. Mike Stack.

   Send article as PDF