POLS ON THE STREET: This Time, Pols On The Beach

BY JOE SHAHEELI/ Wildwood is where the players from both of this city’s major parties meet to greet each other as well as their own supporters each summer. Drawing them there are the breezes, the sand, the surf and most notably the clubs in Anglesea and some of the homes of elected officials and ward leaders in the upper part of North Wildwood.

An exception to the rule is the fact Councilman Jim Kenney’s fundraiser, normally a Wildwood destination, will instead be held this Saturday in Margate, N.J. starting at 5 p.m. at Sophia’s Restaurant, 9314 Amherst Avenue. He’s expected to draw a huge crowd.
Last Friday night, Councilman Bob Henon was guest of honor at the home of Barbara and Lisa Deeley in Anglesea, right above the splashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the third year the former Sheriff and her daughter hosted a fundraiser for the 6th Dist. Councilman. Each year guests feast on an amazing buffet.

The next day, the Brady Bunch Beach invitation kicked off at 3 p.m. at Westy’s following the 2 p.m. start of State Rep. John Taylor’s (R-Kensington) annual event at nearby Coconut Cove. The fact these two events now occur on the same date and close to one another encourages a visitor to touch base with both honorees, especially since both hold the title of Party Chair.

Sunday morning found a crowd attending a fundraiser for ward leader and former Councilman Dan Savage at Westy’s. He’s reported to be challenging State Sen. Tina Tartaglione (D-Kensington) for the 2nd Senatorial Dist. in the upcoming primary.

By attending all these events, one needed to watch closely, to get a handle on who will be on what candidate’s side — the declared and the undeclared — in the next Democratic primary.
Brady’s gathering drew the most gubernatorial and congressional candidates. These included Congresswomen Allyson Schwartz (D-Phila.), Tom Wolf, Marjorie Margolies and State Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Northeast).

One could easily guess who had the support of IBEW Local 98’s Business Mgr. John Dougherty by the numbers of electricians who appeared or didn’t appear at each of the functions. One easily surmises he’s with Henon and Savage in the upcoming primary.

NOW CORYELL WILL HUNT FOR CONVENTION BUSINESS

It’s well over the billion-dollar mark our Pennsylvania Convention Center, from its beginning to the completion of its expansion has cost the taxpayers of this city and the Commonwealth, as it continues to operate below the level that had been promised to the taxpayers. So far, it’s been more of a lemon than lemonade, as fewer and fewer major conventions are being scheduled in that three-block-long massive structure.

The blame game, for the inability of the City and its administrative sub-branches devoted to tourism and conventioneering to market the center, has been played by targeting the various union locals involved in the daily operations of the center.

That has ended with the appointment of Ed Coryell, Sr., head of the Metropolitan Carpenters Union, to the 15-member board. He replaces Pat Gillespie, president of the Building Trades Association.

What is unique about this is his son, Ed Coryell, Jr., is on the labor bargaining team at the Convention Center. When it comes down to hard negotiations, will one see a father and son banging heads, or well thought out decisions?

For those who see this as tilting the weight at the Board to labor’s side, think again. The old axiom is what’s good for business is good for labor. Coryell, Sr. has built a pension system for its members that is the envy of most who are saddled with underfunded pensions. His membership continues to grow in times of recession as well as in good times. His apprentice training programs have proven invaluable in contributing to the skills that continue to make American union laborers the most productive in their field, also an envy to similar trade unions around the world.

Look for quick remedies to the problems that have beset this Convention Center and its board members. Coryell will push for the best answers to the toughest questions and watch a boost of bookings from the nation’s national and international unions, bringing their annual conventions to this city.

CITY REPUBLICANS TO MOVE H.Q. NOW

The Republican City Committee will move to its permanent home at 3525-27 Cottman Avenue effective Jul. 30. Phone number is (215) 561-0650.

Party Chairman is State Rep. John Taylor and Executive Dir. Joseph DeFelice, Esq., is the point man. He can be reached at josephjdefelice@gmail.com or by calling the office. For web browsers, www.phillygop.com is distributing its latest happenings on line.

HANGER MAY CLINCH POTHEAD VOTES

Pennsylvania Gubernatorial candidate John Hanger should easily pick up the medical-marijuana supporters. He’s released a three-step Marijuana Reform Plan. He will begin to allow medical marijuana to be prescribed to sick patients that need cannabis. He’ll then move to decriminalize in 2015 possession of small amounts of marijuana, following that with regulations and taxes on marijuana sales in 2017 if decriminalization goes well.

Hanger said African Americans are arrested for possession five times more frequently than whites, though usage is almost identical, adding, “It is also time to stop spending $325 million per year of taxpayer money to arrest, prosecute, and jail about 25,000 Pennsylvanians for possession of small amounts of marijuana.”

FARNESE JOINS ZARWIN BAUM

The law firm of Zarwin Baum DeVito Kaplan Schaer Toddy, PC. has announced Pennsylvania State Sen. Lawrence Farnese (D-S. Phila.) will be joining the firm as “of counsel.”
Elected to the Senate in 2008, Farnese represents Pennsylvania’s 1st Senatorial Dist., comprised of Port Richmond, Fairmount, and parts of Center City and South Philadelphia. As a reformer, he focuses on legislation and policy initiatives in the areas of public safety, economic development and job creation.

Best known for his legislative initiatives and community partnerships with organizations like CeaseFire PA, Farnese has introduced legislation to reduce gun violence and supported continued funding of the Gun Violence Task Force to combat purchases of illegal handguns. Additionally, he has obtained state funding to help restore the Philadelphia Police Mounted Unit and works closely with local officials and community leaders to improve oversight of neighborhood nuisance bars.

The Senator has worked to expand Philadelphia’s ports and is a supporter of Delaware River dredging. Also to his credit, Farnese has introduced legislation to extend Philadelphia’s property-tax abatement program in blighted areas and successfully led the fight to defeat proposed taxes on the arts and professional services. Farnese serves as the Democratic Chair of the Communications & Technology Committee.

“We are delighted Sen. Farnese has joined our firm,” says Gary A. DeVito, chairman of Zarwin Baum’s Commercial Dept. “Sen. Farnese is such a strong and positive influence in our community and he uses his unremitting energy to promote programs and legislation beneficial to the citizens of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In doing so, Sen. Farnese continues to establish himself as a leader not just locally, but statewide.”

17TH UNION ENDORSEMENT IS LISTED FOR BOYLE

Philadelphia Gas Works Employees Union of Philadelphia Local 686 has endorsed Brendan Boyle for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 13th Dist. for the seat being vacated by Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz.

In the statement of endorsement, Keith Holmes, Business Mgr. for Local 686, said Boyle “is a strong advocate for the needs of everyday families and is by far the best candidate when it comes to fighting for working people in Pennsylvania’s 13th Dist. PGW Local 686 is proud to endorse his campaign for Congress.”

PGW Local 686 is one of 17 organizations representing working people of Pennsylvania who are supporting Boyle’s candidacy for Congress. Other notable endorsements include IBEW Local 98, Teamsters, Sprinklerfitters Locals 420 and 692, Boilermakers Local 13, and Communication Workers Local 13000. Boyle has also been formally endorsed by Congressman Bob Brady.

“PGW is the largest municipally-owned gas utility in the US, and I am honored to be endorsed by Local 686. As a member of Congress, I will continue my fight to make sure working people have a seat at the table.”

CLINTON A SURE BET TO RUN FOR PREXY

We said it in a recent issue with our pic of Hillary Clinton on page one: She will run for President.

That’s because she has seen polls, like the latest Quinnipiac University poll released last week, all showing the former Secretary of State leads New Jersey Gov. Christopher Christie 46-40% among American voters in an early look at the 2016 presidential election, compared to her 45-37% lead in March. He’s considered the GOP frontrunner.

This poll also shows American voters blame both parties for gridlock in Washington, but they say Republicans are more responsible for Congress’ inability to get things done. Looking at immigration, 54% of voters favor allowing those here illegally to stay and eventually become citizens, while 12% favor allowing them to stay but not become citizens and 28% say they should be deported.