WALKING THE BEAT: Bashing Traffic Ct., Stiffing Workers

ALL HAIL State Reps. Mark COHEN, Curtis THOMAS and Ron WATERS for their courageous testimony before the State House Judiciary Committee on the PILEGGI Bills S333 & S334 to eliminate Traffic Court in three years, and to move it into Municipal Court now! (See “Pols on the Street”, page 2)…. Judge Gary Glaser had kind words for the employees. He mentioned progress with the workers who were demoralized (is that the reason for the suit over a heavy-hand investigation?) and said they are “teachable.” (?) He said the court would go back to old ways in an hour when he left. (How can it with good workers?) Glaser found no evidence of money taken for favors, but he shuddered to think what he missed (but that is hearsay). He gave a good report on TC income: $24.1 MILLION AND INCREASING. (And they say the City lost money from favors.) Glaser seemed late in starting Ethics courses under questioning by State Rep. Vanessa BROWN.

State Rep. Hackett (Delco) favored the “People’s Court”, that is, the current TC. So did State Rep. Madeline DEAN (Montco). PILEGGI has not offered legislation to “reform” courts in his own county after a TC judge from Delaware Co. pled guilty – WHY NOT, SIR?… There is no dedicated FUNDING for MC to take over TC offered by Pileggi. Plus POLICE would be called to testify in MC, taking hundreds of cops off street patrol; will PILEGGI pay for the overtime?

TWO SIGNS held by City employees Sharon Davis and Henry Buckley conveyed unhappiness of city unions over Mayor’s refusal to come to contract agreement, as DC 33 and 47 members protested at City Council.

WHEN I HEARD the 12-minute shrill protest by labor at the Mayor’s budget address, I thought you really have to work at generating that much frustration among ordinary people. I was pleased to note the sign “$20 million in Deputy Mayors” with the protest. Ten $100k managers in a department equals $1 million. Polls show a dislike for CEO pay, but what of City’s upper-level pay?… I remember when Nutter was standing with a member of the Pew Trust, and a roofing truck halted at the light and shouted cordial greetings to the Mayor. Now, the national AFSCME magazine is referring to a “1% NUTTER.” Councilman Jim KENNEY’S quote on mayoral lack of coalition-building seems spot on. It is good news Council President DARRELL CLARKE will enter negotiations with labor. City-Labor relations are at their WORST!!

RICHARD NEGRIN, Managing Director, was honored in the Kimmel Center by Friends of the Free Library…. CITY COUNCIL, before the mayoral appearance, was productive. Councilman Bill GREENLEE pushed with passion for the SICK LEAVE bill. Bobby HENON was keen on the sale of surplus City property. Mark SQUILLA presented myriad bills. The DAVID OH bill to set aside $60 million NOW for the firefighters’ contract is enlightened, and could save the City borrowing later. The Mayor could VETO it and the sick leave bill.

Councilwoman Marian TASCO spoke on a magazine article concerning race in Philly a few weeks back, and the effect reverberates still. TASCO is a believer in racial harmony and her message, despite squeals, was duly noted. It was a PLEASURE for me to hear TASCO question the Committee of 70 on race, back during the BRT hearings…. BIRTHDAYS: Mar. 20 – Government expert Rich LAZER. Tom RUSSIAN, downtown, civic leader, on the 21^st. And Jeff HORNSTEIN, smart and caring deputy City Controller, on the 25^th. JODY Bender, fitness expert, has a birthday today! Councilman Bill GREENLEE his his day tomorrow! Lovely Sherrie COHEN, potential future Councilwoman, celebrates on the 31^st. RON WATERS, a hero of the people, has a birthday on Apr. 3^rd!

PASSING of Legislative Black Caucus founder Mitchell MELTON was a jolt. Mitch and I met during the Mayor TATE era. A good example of a gentlemen!… Sadly, Col. Joe WISEMAN of Bucks Co. passed before his surgery. Nick MAIALE, top court officer, former housing aide, and 48th Ward Committeeman; lived a full life. Col. Bruno TERLIZZI left us at 91. He lived over in Passyunk Square. He helped everyone, and guided me when I was a Post Commander as a lad. Perfect peace to them.

What about the possible FUNERAL for the REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY by the Nutter Administration? Brian ABERNATHY, Chief of Staff to the Managing Director, was voted as the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the RDA Board. The rumor is that he will axe the agency (?). You hear of City unions not getting a raise in four years. It is NINE YEARS for the RDA! Reprehensible. The rumor further says the employees of this sole agency with EMINENT DOMAIN authority will be transferred to revive some doddering housing element where pension plans are not compatible. City COUNCIL knows, and keeps presenting bills authorizing the RDA to do something, but has yet to try to save it (?). Let’s watch Brian.

Two Eddie McBRIDES appeared at the St. Patrick’s Parade, the gent who retired from PECO, and the EOM Club leader. The third McBride is in the Virgin Islands! All handsome!… Congressional CANDIDATES are lining up for Allyson SCHWARTZ’S seat if she runs for Governor. Easy winners with ability to fund-raise are JON SAIDEL and JOSH SHAPIRO. One of the BOYLE state reps may run as well. A campaign for the Schwartz seat reportedly also wants to depose a ward leader who was not “professional.” This presumes the accuser is the APEX of professionalism and therefore can be THE judge of others. Opening a two-front war is not smart, and deposing a ward leader is really about CONTROL.

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