WALKING THE BEAT: Bill Green Should Heed Fellow Democrats

by Joe Shay Stivala
I WAS STARTLED to hear on Sunday Bill GREEN had been relieved of the Chair at the SRC. I was also surprised to see Green at a political event on Saturday night signing candidates’ petitions. Two candidates posted his photo on Facebook signing their petitions. Seeing him at the event made me wonder if he had a premonition of his sacking (?).

MOUNT RUSHMORE view of mayoral debate hosted by Councilwoman Marian Tasco. Photo by Joe Stivala

Was his party appearance a signal of a return to politics? If so, maybe it is best to be sacked; he didn’t QUIT. And maybe it is not wise to challenge the Governor of YOUR OWN PARTY. A Governor is ENTITLED to HIS OWN TEAM. These contracts that overlap across administrations smack of MONARCHY. And the SRC job was a political dead end. Mayor Richardson Dilworth was a Board of Education Chair AFTER he served as Mayor.

A feature by DA Seth WILLIAMS said that we ought to keep our forfeiture laws. Were they under threat? First I heard. To many they are perceived as evil – and could hurt innocent members of a family LIVING in the same property. I remember a grandmother losing her home because of her drug-dealer grandson. And a barber who RENTED A SHOP, and was arrested. The landlord is notified that he should consider terminating the lease. The case didn’t even have a trial date!  The DA budget of the future should NOT be accepted by any Mayor if revenues from the unit are an expected amount. And get rid of voicemail. It can be a great unit.

VICTORIA Russo, squeezing her granddaughter, is congratulated by Joe and all the other Russos at her retirement celebration as judicial aide to Judge Dianne Anhalt from Court of Common Pleas. Photo by Joe Stivala

The JONES ACT provides that ships on US waters have to be made, crewed and flagged here.  This 1920 act still protects our shipyards, shipping and union jobs. Sen. John McCain tried to repeal it. We would lose Aker Shipyards here for sure. Philadelphia Energy Solutions CEO Philip Rinaldi says he avoids transport by water, as the act makes it too expensive. Sure, just send oil by tanker car. Does he read the papers? Plus increasing gridlock on the rails and roads makes coastal transport dependable and timely – including other types of cargo – as long as you configure a same-size container that fits on a ship, truck or flat car for transfer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Councilman David OH’s mom who is 93 (She said she was 93 last year). An accomplished singer whose big moment was meeting Marian Anderson. BEST WISHES! … CHRIS McCABE’s campaign for judge keeps piling up endorsements. More are scheduled and the campaign hasn’t yet had a kickoff!… The campaign for legislator in the 170th heated up with some unions backing the GOP candidate. The battle is between groups more than candidates, and will end by defining a “TOP GUN”.

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