CITY HALL SAM: Brady’s Plan Could Win Huge Convention

CITY and state elected officials call on Gov. Tom Corbett to send $45 million down the turnpike to save Phila. schools at news conference at City Hall. Photo by Rory McGlasson

The Pennsylvania Convention Center has been in the news lately, and the news has not been favorable. The media report management, labor and contract problems are keeping large conventions away from the $1.3 billion convention center. The center was expanded to help pull more conventions, tourists, and dollars to the Philadelphia Region. It’s big money, and tourism is Pennsylvania’s number-one industry.

So with all the talk about its problems and demise, CONGRESSMAN BOB BRADY comes up with an idea that could help the convention center gain major revenue and show many groups what a great convention town Philadelphia can be. Last week, Brady convened a group of regional leaders to discuss bringing the 2016 Democratic National Convention to Philadelphia. Philadelphia has not hosted a national political convention since 2000.

Joining Brady at the Union League to discuss a bid for the 2016 DNC were 20 government, labor, and business leaders from Southeastern Pennsylvania. The leaders included IBEW Local 98 leader JOHN DOUGHERTY, former City CONTROLLER JONATHAN SAIDEL, STATE SENS. ANTHONY WILLIAMS and VINCE HUGHES, City Council PRESIDENT DARRELL CLARKE and COUNCILMAN JIM KENNEY, Montgomery Co. Commission CHAIRMAN JOSH SHAPIRO and MERYL LEVITZ, CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp.

The group discussed the issues they will need to address if Philadelphia hosts the convention. The litany includes transportation, hotel rooms, amenities and attractions, and security. The last issue has piqued the interest of MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER, who says the City can’t afford to pay for security costs. Congressman Brady believes they can raise the money to run the convention and pay for police overtime without costing the City a nickel. Some would say that sounds like a dream, but those people have not seen Brady in action. He can make it happen.

PUBLIC SAFETY was no problem at Keenan’s that Saturday with these guys on site: from left, Judge Hetsi Lewandowski, FOP President John McNesby, Firefighter Bob McQuillan, Councilman Mark Squilla and Steve Lauer. Photo by Kenny Adams

While tourism is a big Philadelphia industry, Philadelphians themselves give a lot of their tourism dollars to the Jersey Shore. Last weekend was no exception to this rule, as a trio of events were held in N. Wildwood. A reception was held for COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA at Keenan’s Irish Pub on Friday. The well-attended affair was followed the next day by IBEW Local 98’s annual Down Under Party, also at Keenan’s. Local 98 leader John Dougherty hosted the packed affair. This party is a must-attend for many Philadelphia politicos who are looking to gain favor with Johnny Doc and Local 98. Local 98 alumni City COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON and STATE REP. ED NEILSON chatted, and many potential candidates and their surrogates enjoyed good drinks and food. Gas Workers Local 686 also hosted a well-attended event at … you guessed it … Keenan’s.

As a result, the owners of Keenan’s are not facing a funding crisis at this time. However, many residents of Philadelphia are watching a public-school funding crisis potentially derail the start of the school year. Philadelphia schools SUPERINTENDENT DR. WILLIAM HITE said he cannot open the public schools on Sep. 9 if he does not receive an additional $50 million in funding by this Friday.

As of this column’s writing, MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER, Council President Darrell Clarke, STATE SENS. SHIRLEY KITCHEN, Anthony Williams and Vince Hughes, and STATE REP. CHERELLE PARKER were working intently to find a solution. It will not be an easy task, as the City is cash-strapped and GOV. TOM CORBETT seems unwilling to have the State contribute more money to the school district without teacher contract concessions. Sam will write more about this issue and its resolution in next week’s edition.

PHILA. Gas Workers Union lit up Wildwood last weekend with eye-catching display at their annual summer shore party. Photo by Kenny Adams

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