CITY HALL SAM: 1st Ward Turnout Was Dazzling

1ST WARD’S gracious host John Dougherty, 2nd from left, presided over an impressive turnout at his candidates night at Waterfall Room in Whitman. Here Doc welcomed, from left, State Sen. Mike Stack, Fred Santarelli and Richard DeMarco. Photo by Harry Leech

Powerful union leader JOHN DOUGHERTY also happens to be influential ward leader John Dougherty. He hosted a candidate’s night at South Philly’s elegant Waterfall Room. The party appeared to be for petition-signing party. Numerous aspiring judges held clipboards and walked around the room seeking signatures from Philadelphia residents and other influential politicians.

HANGING OUT were, from left, former Sheriff Barb Deeley, Ward Leader Bill Dolbow and judicial aspirant Christine Hope. Photo by Harry Leech

Among the judge hopefuls were VINCE MALKURY, CHRIS MALLIOS, CHRISTINE HOPE, JIM CRUMLISH, BILL FERNANDEZ, SIERRA STREET, DAWN TANCREDI, FRAN SHIELDS and RICHARD GORDON. Also on hand were Teamsters leader DAN GRACE and Ironworkers chief JOE DOUGHERTY. A number of influential ward leaders were also on hand including MATT MYERS, MIKE McALEER and TOM JOHNSON, as well as former CONGRESSMAN OZZIE MYERS. COUNCILMAN BOB HENON was seen chatting with STATE SEN. MIKE STACK.

STATE REP. JOHN SABATINA, JR. was the guest of honor at Center City bar and restaurant Ladder 15. Among the VIPs were JOHN SABATINA, SR., who is the 56^th Ward Leader, and his wife the lovely LISA SABATINA, the State Representative’s lovely WIFE EILEEN, JOE MULVEY, RYAN MULVEY, JIM CRUMLISH, MARITA CRAWFORD and WARD LEADER SEAN DILLON.

STATE REP. Brendan Boyle (D-Northeast) presented citation to MaST Community Charter School founder and Board of Trustees President Karen Del Guercio during the school’s February monthly board meeting. Boyle praised her services to Phila. region and her role in MaST’s growth since its founding in 1999.

Republican COUNCILMAN AT LARGE DAVID OH hosted a workforce development hearing at MAST Charter School in Northeast Philadelphia. Also on hand were COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN TASCO and many businesses. TIM McGRATH, a well-respected union leader, testified at the event. Also testifying was Philly Schools CEO WILLIAM HITE, Community College of Philadelphia President STEPHEN CURTIS, and representatives from the energy, manufacturing and health-care industries.

The reorganization of Roofers Union Local 30 has gone through smoothly. One of the key organizers for the union will be SEAN McCULLOUGH. Local 30 has gone through many transformations over the years, but has continued to supply superior working conditions and raises for Philadelphia roofers.

MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER’S biggest initiative in a term and a half is his AVI program.  One of the big problems has been the uncertainty with regards to the actual numbers to be used to calculate property values.  Now that the numbers are in, it appears many working-class taxpayers will get a reduction in their taxes. But politicians still have to deal with constituents who will receive a significant hike in their taxes.

COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN is one of those who want to do away with the homestead exemption. Other Council Members are talking about reducing the level of the exemption from $30,000 to $10,000-$15,000. Their thinking is that more taxpayers and more businesses will benefit from a lower tax rate. They will have to explain this to homeowners that would benefit from the larger homestead tax exemption.

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