WALKING THE BEAT: We Remember John F. Kennedy

THIS POLAROID shot was made of President John F. Kennedy with Congressman Bill Green and Mayor Richardson Dilworth when Kennedy was on campaign trail in Phila. Photo by Joe Stivala

We are one day away from the 50^th KENNEDY Association Anniversary. It was an exciting time to be alive. It seemed like everyone wanted to serve their country in some way. I remember riding the JFK press bus during his Philly tour, as it passed my high school. We were spotted and called to the principal’s office the next day on “Hooky” charges. Tip O’Neill, in his book, and others discussed Philly support for JFK by the city party chairman, Bill Green. It was as important as the Chicago vote. Many of us yearn for another JFK-type president, but it was not to be. DID YOU ever believe that SINGLE-BULLET explanation? Not me!

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS to Pat PARKINSON, popular leader of Ward 57, on the 25^th. And to my bruz Garnett LITTLEPAGE (27^th), also Mark ENDRES (28^th). May the light of freedom shine on him. MONICA SANTORO, dynamic Operations person at Penn’s Landing, has hers on the 29^th. MONICA is a KEY ASSET to Penn’s Landing…. SAD losses: The passing of Bill BLACK, Republican leader of Ward 36, puts him on a cloud with his pals Buck Thompson and Lucien BLACKWELL. Boxer, Korea veteran, caring guy, that was Bill. Mary Lou MYERS is now in perfect peace, the eldest sister of Matt MYERS, sorely missed.

Tom KNOX is in the mayoral race, then out. Once, during the Pennsylvania Society weekend, he mentioned he would run for Governor. Then he was out. In-out. See-saw? He should QUIT politics…. WORRIED: We should be, with the legislature infrastructure bill defeat. NOT WORRIED: Over the missing write-in votes from 15 divisions. One commissioner seemed to GRANDSTAND on this. Another knew it was a MINOR glitch.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT Darrell CLARKE is spot on with his plan to delay gentrification deadlines! Councilman Dennis O’BRIEN is also to be praised for his ordinances to give Council say over law firms chosen for citizens where there is a conflict for Public Defenders. The mayoral proposal is weaker on DUE PROCESS…. Councilpersons Cindy BASS and Jim KENNEY are concerned on firehouse conditions. A recent small blaze in one was caught by firemen. Many Engine and Ladder vehicles are 20 years old, and should get the PRIORITY on maintenance that EMS vehicles do. EMS vehicles generate $38m a year to the City. But I hear that after 8 p.m. the City pulls some units out of service. WHY – when calls are going THROUGH THE ROOF??

A LOT of media praise of the Mayor’s England and Israel visit. But the JURY is still OUT! REMEMBER and wait to see if jobs and investment come our way. It was reported that Nutter fought to stop the closure of the Israeli Consulate in Philly, whose Consul General, five days before, had written effusively of hope for the trip. We all want the consulate to stay open. So what else happened? Is it true the Mayor plans ANOTHER trip?? Does he fancy himself a worldly figure? If he is seeking a future job in this field, he should not do it on city time. Stay home.

The LONG BEACH ISLAND media got a letter from a John Imperiale who says that despite all CHRISTIE’S efforts, Hillary CLINTON will win the White House. He says folks upset with OBAMA are not sorry they didn’t vote for McCAIN or ROMNEY; they are SORRY they did not vote for CLINTON. Imperiale, having lost an election in New York, presented a well-reasoned political NOUS. Is he related to the old Hudson Co. pol-boss Anthony Imperiale?… After the last big storm, many coastal homes have to be elevated – and that is costly! One homeowner saved $100k by a new technology of steel rings which encircle and jack up existing pilings. Necessity brings invention.

The writer that charged OBAMA snubbed the Gettysburg address ceremony, did so without presenting any EVIDENCE. He is just angry. The BLARNEY award to him…. MONTCO Correctional Officers are thinking in the right direction as they think of unionizing with Teamsters Local 234. Conditions made this happen.

Republican Committeepersons were given listed phone numbers of voters in the last election. They called voters and asked them to vote for their candidates – and got a respectable turnout. Frank “BATS”, Chairman of Ward 39, led the charge into the new high-tech approach. The OBAMA campaign had great data-collection, “mining” information. So where were the Philly DEMS? In low-turnout elections, BOTH PARTIES should pay into a fund to remind people that there IS AN ELECTION on said date!… A tremendous MEET & GREET was held in the Local 401 Hall on Norcom Road on the 20^th. Super guy and 401 leader Joe DOUGHERTY introduced John KANE, Local 690 Business Manager!

It CONTINUES to be WEIRD how the parking hearings on Filbert Street answer to the City FINANCE Dept. It feels like a cash cow: You lose objectivity with Finance involved. The hearings are run by Jeremiah CONNOR. The next in the hierarchy is the Deputy Finance Director. The next Mayor needs to change this old BROOM. It feels too cozy and too obvious as a subliminal tax…. It was good to see Bill BARNES, Esq., at the Korean Memorial on Veterans Day. Prior to the building of the memorial, factions prevented progress. Korea Vet BARNES brought them together long enough to get it built. Like Winston CHURCHILL, he was out of office after it was completed. Thank You, Bill!

TRAFFIC COURT: It is too quiet. Is it true the CHADWICK group is still in the building? WHY? The report finished their work. We were billed some $400,000 for it, yes? Where Is Judge GLAZER? A rumor has him selecting hearing officers (?). WHY? Can a CP judge pick for Municipal Court? This seems LESS THAN RESPECTFUL.

   Send article as PDF