WALKING THE BEAT: Were We All Watching The Same Debate?

INTRODUCED at Councilwoman Marian Tasco’s Party For The People were a host of her allies and protégés: from left, Councilman Bill Greenlee, Stephanie Sawyer, 201st Legislative Democrat nominee Stephen Kinsey, 61st Ward Leader Sharon Losier, Municipal Court Judge Fran Shields, 35th Ward Leader Bill Dolbow and Christopher Mallios.

I wonder if Obama expected the debate to be a high-level academic discussion. Romney had to be aggressive, and Obama did look annoyed at the thrusts by Romney which were mostly blarney, and some cheap shots. You cannot be a gentleman to that sort of assault. Obama did look presidential – that works up to a point. ROMNEY came close to AL GORE in hyper-movements of the head. Like the smart “A” kid in school, writing notes to score points at the expense of another pupil. STILL, I wonder, did I watch the same debate as newscasters? I watched with a family (plus pizza). I formed my opinions on content and what was said. When the family gave their view, they thought that Obama’s explanations were well-said. I agreed. Then we were aghast to hear MSNBC commentators say Romney had won. A look on social media, and it was like there had been no debate. Positions were hardened earlier. It will be up to turnout and independents – as of now…. ONE FELLOW said news reporting on debates is all a show to beat drums; sensationalism?

BACK IN CITY HALL: The Mayor appointed himself and office staff to the Community College Board. Could he be planning his future work? Hmm…. A proposed CITY COUNCIL ordinance on ATVs is needed!! It might be combined, however, with Councilman Mark Squilla’s COMPLETE STREETS BILL. This bill seems to address all the dangers and annoyances of pedestrians and drivers operating a car or truck in the city. Bike riders will have to adhere to the VEHICLE CODE. They will be ticketed $100 if they run a red light, or not heed a stop sign. Needed is a requirement for lights or reflectors (front and back) on a bike, since many approach cars at speed, from a blind spot on the car. The former Councilman, who had a similar bill, backed off when bikers got vocal. The bikers, 2% of population, are vocal. But SQUILLA should know a SILENT MAJORITY is out there wanting his ordinance.

A Council Committee needs to look at City Hall SUBWAY station. Escalators at this leading stop for government and courts are not reliable. Ordinary citizens have to walk more than 50 steps to street level. Walnut Street station is fitted with modern elevators. We need SEPTA to spend REAL MONEY for taxpayers at this top stop in the fourth-largest city!… THERE IS NO REASON for gas prices to be so high. No matter how much natural gas and oil we produce, prices are still set worldwide by investors, and futures. We ARE on our way to energy independence, but the price issue for gasoline must be addressed.

DEMOCRAT Leader of Ward 35 in Lawndale, Billy DOLBOW, is headed for the “Double Nickel” –age 55 in a week! He is also the head of the Lawndale Civic Group, which puts to bed the media buzz that being a ward leader is somehow dirty (when committeepersons, in fact, were the first civic leaders)…. VOTER ID brought a lot of mental anguish to citizens. It was expensive in the face of CORBETT cuts to needy, and the on-again-off-again procedures at PennDOT. Citizens should thank those like the ACLU and many other groups that opposed it. And REMEMBER those like Gov. Tom Corbett, State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, Judge Robert Simpson (for the great length of time to twice examine the law), and our State House Speaker. Metcalfe did say the judge decided in favor of the “lazy who refuse to exercise the work ethic” to get voter ID. This follows after a GOP candidate line about “legitimate rape?” Send all these folks a Xmas Card.

The big NEWS FEATURE on jailed state lawmakers who were defended by state funds, asked why no payback of the funds. City and State do defend, and in some matters represent, workers. The unanswered question is really HOW MUCH the federal probers spent prosecuting? Some say $50M was spent to prosecute FUMO for a $4M offense. How prosecutors react to community, police or elected official pressure over a crime which has aroused and upset the public is well put in an article by Chris MONDICS. Prosecutors need not be statistic-driven. The Black Clergy mentioned we risk a city of unemployables by sending folks to jail. When they get out of jail, they OFTEN cannot get a job. At this rate, who will pay taxes and the pensions of prosecutors and judges?… The State Health Commissioner is leaving office. Goodbye.

JUSTICE Ron Castille won’t recuse himself in the Terrance Williams matter. He should…. SEN. BOB CASEY, the true “quiet man” (yet productive) faces an opponent with BIG BUCKS – almost a replay of when his dad ran for Governor against cable TV CZAR Milton Shapp. Help CASEY.

SEAMUS BONNER is a candidate for legislator in the 163rd Dist. Bonner, a former Army paratrooper, was upset when the entire 110 GOP members walked out before a vote on Resolution 560 calling for an investigation of CORBETT in the Sandusky matter. The 163rd lost $20m in school aid also, said Bonner, who is concerned about protecting students from cuts and predators. We need lawmakers with behavior like seen in the old TV show “Slattery’s People.” Bonner could do that…. STATE REPS. Michelle Brownlee and Louise Bishop, along with State Sen. Vincent Hughes, fought hard to delay a copayment requirement for families with disabled children, and praise the public for their help. Lift every voice – the spiritual goes – and don’t let it happen AT ALL!… This is FIRE PREVENTION WEEK. Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers urges those with Smartphones to show the Fire Prevention App to kids and friends!

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