POLS ON THE STREET: Expect 18% Turnout In November!

JOINING Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters Executive Secretary-Treasurer/Business Mgr. Ed Coryell, who hosted labor and business reception for Democratic candidate for Governor Tom Wolf, are Operating Engineers’ Bob Heenan, N.J. Senate President Steve Sweeney, Congressman Bob Brady, Coryell, and DRPA Commissioner and Union Mason Leader Al Fratelli, candidate for Council in Washington Township in New Jersey. Photo by Martin Regusters, Leaping Lion Photography

BY JOE SHAHEELI/ It’s dangerous to our reputation to predict outcomes, since we don’t want to be found wrong. But all the signs we watch point to a low turnout, no matter how much campaign effort is being put into energizing the huge Democratic voter potential in this city.

Into the effort to boost voter enthusiasm have come Hillary Clinton and Mrs. Barack Obama as headliners at get-out-the-vote rallies. Local unions have increased their efforts to get their rank and file to become aware of the need to vote on election day, plus the big dollars they have given Tom Wolf.

What rings a resounding warning of voter apathy for this election is over 4,000 absentee-ballot requests were sent. With the Oct. 31 deadline only two weeks away, as of last week only 8% have been returned, less than 300.

Another sad note is the fact the last day of registrations for this election saw only 1,767 come in. Usually, when interest is high, that number could climb to over 10,000.

New Republicans registered were 1,284, with 7,523 new Democrats signing up. This is a reflection of what has been the margin of total Democrats to total Republicans for the past several years.

The new registration total of eligible Philadelphia voters is 1.33 million. Of these, 807,930 are Democrats, 119,594 Republicans. Several thousand more are expected as a result of late-arriving PennDOT registrations.

Our turnout prediction: 18%.

SCANDALS RUMORED IN COURT RETIREMENTS

One of the branches of the city’s court systems has reportedly finished a house-cleaning movement among its employees, resulting in changes in division heads and in other court shuffles. Rumor is several employees were forced to retire early or/and resign. Expect the full story to break big time.

On the good side, look for Common Pleas Judge Kevin M. Dougherty, now head of Family Court, to take over the reins of retiring Administrative Judge John W. Herron.

OUR LATEST TAKE ON ELECTION POLLS

What is reported to be the mother of all polls, YouGov, in association with the New York Times and CBS News, has been conducting their own surveys of the various gubernatorial and senatorial races this November.

59TH WARD banquet fundraiser drew flock of party leaders to Treasures in Germantown, including, from left, Ward Leader Mark Green, State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, hostess Ward Leader Donna Miller and Councilman at Large Bill Greenlee.

Their latest of the Pennsylvania race shows Tom Wolf with a 47% to 38% lead, or 50% to 41% when leaners are included.

COUNCILMAN Mark Squilla was just one of many citywide dignitaries who paid visit to State Rep. John Taylor at his traditional Senior Fair at Cohocksink Rec in Port Richmond.

Pennsylvania’s top Quinnipiac Poll also shows a narrowing of Wolf’s lead. YouGov found an especially large gender gap. The Democratic nominee leads among women by a 51-29 margin while Gov. Corbett is ahead among men 47-42.

Meanwhile, independent voters favor Corbett (42-38) while moderate voters favor Wolf (58-21).

Among age groups, Wolf is ahead among all subsets except voters 65 and older, the most-reliable voter group.

Wolf has a 74% to 8% margin among Black voters and this city’s African American community is key, as we’ve been saying for the best three months.

CREDIT FOR GROWTH GOES TO MAYOR

Philadelphia is experiencing an acceleration in development activity and in businesses choosing to start, stay and grow in the city. Four major developments have been launched with the support of Mayor Michael Nutter and his administration, bringing over 3,000 union construction jobs and over 1,000 permanent jobs.

CHICKIE’S & PETE’S in Mayfair hosted State Rep. Mark Cohen’s fundraiser. Flanking Cohen are his treasurer Dick Wittenberg, left, and policy analyst Joe Grace.

“This is just the beginning,” said Deputy Mayor Alan Greenberger. “There are many more exciting developers and businesses lined up to announce that they are investing in Philadelphia in the near future, which can only be good news for Philadelphians.”

TOMLINSON HAS EDGE– IN A DIFFERENT RACE

Mike Tomlinson, Republican candidate for the 173^rd Legislative Dist., should consider running as the Republican candidate for City Controller in the spring primary.

The former Philadelphia School District teacher and seasoned Certified Public Accountant, may have ways to restore the city schools to where they will again have the trust of Public School parents. He points to waste, fraud, abuse, indoctrinated inefficiency, patronage and a bloated bureaucracy.

Known to be a hard worker, Tomlinson needs to save what money and energy he has left in his effort to take the legislative seat and use it in his efforts to alert voters of his capabilities if elected Controller.

Mike Driscoll, favored to take the Pennsylvania House seat, is well liked by both Democrats and Republicans in the District.

DAN MUROFF took over leadership of 9th Ward after fine stewardship by John O’Connell. Powerful array of leaders attended and all thanked John for his leadership. From left are Dan Muroff, Nelson Diaz, Chairman of Montgomery Co. Commissioners Josh Shapiro, Councilman at Large Bill Greenlee, City Controller Alan Butkovitz, O’Connell, Council President Darrell Clarke, Marylin Monaco and Penna. State Treasurer Rob McCord. Photo by Joe Stivala

MEMBERS and officers of District Council 21, International Union of Painters & Allied Trades welcome 7th Dist. Congressman Pat Meehan to Race Street Pier. Meehan has DC 21’s endorsement because of his tireless efforts to strengthen Penna.’s infrastructure and provide more work for experienced professional union members.

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