CITY HALL SAM: McNesby’s Admin Still In The Saddle – Unlike Other Public Unions

F.O.P. PRESIDENT JOHN McNESBY was honored at a very successful fundraiser at the swank catering hall Cescaphé. McNesby continues to be a stalwart and reliable leader for the police union. Several prominent union leaders have lost recent elections: AFSCME District Council 47 PRESIDENT CATHY SCOTT as well as TOM GALLO of the Steamfitters Union Local 420. BILL GAULT, who headed the Firefighters Union, lost his bid for reelection recently. The issue for public-employee unions is the City of Philadelphia is intractable in labor negotiations. The members are just not satisfied and have taken it out on their leadership.

But FOP Lodge 5 unanimously voted in McNesby as its president again along with his entire slate. All positions were unopposed in the Oct. 1 election. The Executive Board positions are as follows: President: John McNesby; Vice Presidents: ROOSEVELT L. POPLAR, JAMES P. WHEELER, JOHN R. McGRODY, STEVEN J. WEILER; Recording Secretary: ROBERT B. BALLENTINE, JR.; Financial Secretary: MICHAEL P. TRASK; Treasurer: JOHN RUANE; Trustees: TERRYL D. REID, KENYATTA H. LEE, WILLIAM SIERRA, AUSTIN A. FRASER, KENORA D. SCOTT; Conductor: JOY GALLEN-RUIZ; Guards: JOHN MCLAUGHLIN, LESTER F. JOHNSON; and Chaplain: LOUIS J. CAMPIONE.

Former State Sen. BOB ROVNER celebrated his 70th birthday at a jam-packed party at Colleen’s at the Savoy in New Jersey. The event was paid for by billionaire businessman LEW KATZ, Rovner’s former roommate and classmate. Also on hand were the lovely HANNA MONBLATT and DAN and STEVE ROVNER. Several present and former elected officials were there. Former President Judge ALEX BONAVITACOLA was there with his beautiful wife as was federal JUDGE JOEL SCHYLASKE and his wife. Municipal Court SENIOR JUDGE FELICE STACK was accompanied by her gorgeous daughter-in-law TONYA STACK. Former district attorney LYNNE ABRAHAM schmoozed with mayoral hopeful and City CONTROLLER ALAN BUTKOVITZ.

The President of Temple University, NEIL THEOBALD, and his wife joined Sen. Rovner at his table. Theobald also gave an eloquent speech and talked about the kindness of Bob Rovner to everyone he meets and also his generosity to Temple University. HOWARD ROVNER, the Senator’s baby brother, took the opportunity to roast him. He said Bob Rovner was born with his business card in his hand and his first words were, “Hi, I’m Bob Rovner.” Several members of the Board of Trustees of Temple University were also on hand including the distinguished physician SOLOMON LIU.

It was East vs. West during a legislative softball game in Harrisburg. The game took place at the home of the Harrisburg Senators and was for the benefit of hunger awareness. Among the Philadelphians playing in the game who did not make fools of themselves were STATE SENS. LARRY FARNESE and MIKE STACK, STATE REPS. ED NEILSON and BRENDAN BOYLE. Those that did make fools of themselves will not be mentioned in writing but will be discussed through word of mouth.

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