POLS ON THE STREET: Jim To Keep Sanctuary, Melissa Won’t! Could She Generate Vote?

by Joe Shaheeli

Has Donald Trump energized some of the American population by claiming illegal aliens are more prone to criminal acts than the aliens here legally? He’s especially targeted cities which have declared themselves to be “sanctuaries”, which means they will not detain illegal immigrants convicted of a violent crime and turn them over to the immigration authorities.

Strawberry Mansion put on new face with opening of Oakdale Street Apartments. Twelve sustainable units were constructed on vacant parcel of land across street from Widener Library. Cutting ribbon are Latoya Wright (new Oakdale resident), HUD Regional Administrator Jane Vincent, PHA Commissioner Chair Lynette Brown-Sow, PHA President & CEO Kelvin Jeremiah, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Council President Darrell Clarke.

Giving him some fuel in his efforts to seek GOP nomination for President was news an illegal with a long, violent criminal record was allowed to continue roaming the streets of San Francisco where he killed a woman, triggering an uproar over permissive handling of illegal-immigrant criminals.

Has that given GOP candidate for Mayor Melissa Murray Bailey a trump card to bring awareness of her campaign to enough Philadelphia voters to draw their support beyond the staunch but outnumbered Republican vote?

Democratic candidate for Mayor Jim Kenney has declared he will continue Mayor Michael Nutter’s policy of making Philadelphia a “sanctuary city”.

Bailey, however, has declared, “I am outraged by the recent shooting of Kathryn Steinle in San Francisco and my deepest sympathies go out to her family and friends. What’s worse, this crime could have been prevented. We have to do a better job protecting people.

“By declaring Philadelphia a sanctuary city and not detaining illegal immigrants who have been convicted of a violent crime, we are putting the citizens of Philadelphia at risk. More than one in three federal crimes committed in 2014 were committed by people who are in the US illegally.

“To be clear, I am a proponent of immigration policies and practices that are clear, fair and humane. As a mother, I don’t fault parents for trying to provide a better life for their family. Lawmakers in Washington have dragged their feet far too long in resolving this issue, leading some cities, including Philadelphia, to determine themselves ‘safe cities’. Providing a safe harbor in Philadelphia for illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes is the wrong choice. The recent homicide in San Francisco underscores what is on the line for Philadelphia. By allowing illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes to stay in our city, we are proclaiming, ‘Come to Philadelphia, because even if you are in the country illegally and committing crimes, there is a place for you here.’

“As part of a Bailey administration, Philadelphia will not be a sanctuary city. I will put the safety of people first and support policies that provide a pathway for law abiding immigrants to obtain legal status.”

It was reported, without checking in with the powers to be at Republican City Committee, her campaign sent out an invite to join her in a “prayer vigil” in North Philadelphia to remember DeeAnna Riddle, 25, who was found dead in her bedroom over the weekend. She is one of several homicides from Jul. 4.

ATTENDING EVENT, right, is Republican GOP Mayoral candidate Melissa Bailey, seen with rainbow over her head.

The Philadelphia Public Record showed up, but few supporters of hers did. The vigil was hosted by neighbors and friends of the deceased and her mother. It was crowded. Only a handful of leaders knew Bailey was in attendance. To our staffer, it seemed as if few others knew of her presence since she did not wear any campaign identification.

SEIU PA State Council Highlights Donohue

The Pennsylvania State Council of the Service Employees International Union has endorsed Judge Christine Donohue for Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

The following statement was attributed to Gabe Morgan, SEIU Pennsylvania State Council president and Pennsylvania director of SEIU 32BJ; Neal Bisno, secretary-treasurer of the State Council and President of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania; Tom Herman, president of SEIU Local 668; and David Melman, manager of the Pennsylvania Joint Board of Workers United.

“With three open seats on the Supreme Court, November’s election represents an historic opportunity to elect judges who respect the rights of working men and women. Throughout her distinguished career, Judge Christine Donohue has demonstrated that she understands the rights and values of working families.

“As the daughter of a United Mine Worker and a union seamstress, Judge Donohue has been involved with many landmark cases to protect workers and hold corporations accountable. That is the type of integrity Pennsylvania needs to restore faith in a Supreme Court that has been plagued by scandal and has allowed gerrymandered districts to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of citizens.

“SEIU will proudly engage with our members to put Judge Donohue on a path to victory.”

SEIU PA is also supporting Judges Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht in the race for state Supreme Court.

Stack In Leadership Of NLG Association

It’s congratulations again to Lt. Gov. Mike Stack on his appointment to the Executive Committee of the National Lieutenant Governors Association, as the East Region Democratic chair. The organization elected committee members during its annual meeting in Indianapolis.

“Through NLGA’s bipartisan nature, the priorities of lieutenant governors and their states and territories are united – not divided,” said NLGA Director Julia Hurst. “Lt. Gov. Stack was nominated to this position by a bipartisan group of his peers. His unanimous election among officials of both parties from every region of the country speaks to the high regard he is held in among his peers.”

SUMMER fundraiser in Center City drew supporters for Joanna McClinton’s campaign for 195th Legislative Dist. Backers of McClinton, center, included Rasheen Crews, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, attorney Zac Shaffer and Delco Democratic Committee Exec. Dir. Alex Lipton.

The committee meets about three times a year. It charts the course of policy issues and national impact to be pursued by the nation’s second-highest state and territorial officeholders. In addition to its specific duties, the committee will also address issues of mutual concern to all members.

Brady All The Way For McGinty Race

It looks from here like Gov. Tom Wolf will soon lose his Chief of Staff Katie McGinty to the lure of a US Senate Democratic primary race. Her only still-formidable candidate is Adm. Joe Sestak, which Party regulars see as a “rogue”.

She recently joined over a decade of State Senators to an event of some national significance, and did so at her own expense, which indicated she was not doing the Governor’s bidding on this trip. Congressman Bob Brady (D-Phila.) stated he is “100%” in McGinty’s corner and “would support her fully. I’ll even be her honorary campaign manager, anything she needed me to do.”

Congressman Brady went on to slam Joe Sestak by stating, “Sestak has a little bit of a track record that’s not honorable with a lot of us. It’s his own free-thinking ways of doing things. Well, we’re free-thinking too, and we’re free-thinking Katie McGinty. I think without question she [McGinty] would win the primary.”

A multi-tasker, Katie is focused on getting a budget deal passed. But close friends know she is not missing any opportunity to promote a US Senate bid.

The only other Democrat who has gotten into the race, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, suspended his campaign days after the FBI raided city hall offices.

Brady Urges Dixie Flag Removals

Congressman Robert Brady, a ranking member on the Committee on House Administration, sent a letter to CHA Chairman Candice Miller in support of a resolution introduced by Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) that directs the Speaker of the House to remove any state flag that incorporates “all or any portion of the historic Confederate battle flag,” from the common areas of the House wing of the Capitol and the House office buildings. Last month the House referred the resolution to the CHA.

The letter is also signed by Congress Members Zoe Lofgren and Juan Vargas (both D-Cal.) and it further states, “Following the massacre in Charleston of nine churchgoers by a person allegedly fixated on that symbol, the South Carolina legislature voted to remove the battle flag from its grounds and Governor Haley has signed it into law. By their action, South Carolina officials have at long last, acknowledged that for millions of Americans, that symbol invokes hatred and oppression and thus does not belong in public buildings except in museums.”

Don’t Look For Record On Budget Impasse

Don’t look for a budget impasse to be set as occurred when the state budget went 101 days before Gov. Ed Rendell signed that budget on Oct. 11.

The Legislature burned through $87 million of its then-$201 million (combined) reserves. But that was back when the General Assembly had more financial reserves to continue to operate without a budget. The GOP caucuses in the House and Senate reportedly are able to hold on until mid September.

Joe Up, Farah In With Tracy Campaign

Republican at-large councilmanic hopeful Terry Tracy lost one campaign manager to a higher calling; but he picked up a replacement with strong credentials.

School Reform Commissioner Farah Jiménez is joining Tracy’s team as campaign chair. Her predecessor, Joseph M. McColgan, has held the position since Tracy’s campaign launch, but is departing because of his appointment to the board of the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority.

Tracy applauds McColgan, saying, “Congratulations to Joe on his appointment to the PICA board. I know no one who will take his fiduciary responsibility to the people of this city more seriously. He will bring a much-needed fresh perspective to the budgetary oversight process. I am deeply grateful for his many contributions to my campaign.”

Jiménez is well known for her work as the CEO of the People’s Emergency Center, a West Philadelphia social-service agency that provides housing, life-skills training and education to women and children in need.

Jimenez commented, “With the thorny issues before Philadelphia today, it is imperative that we elect to City Council an informed, decisive and courageous leader. We need a leader with a passion for Philadelphia and a compassion for its people. And we need an individual with the ability to work collaboratively in Philadelphia, as well as in Harrisburg. Terry Tracy is that individual, and that leader, that Philadelphia needs.”

Tracy, in response, stated, “Whether fighting for the economically disadvantaged or commonsense reforms in public education, Farah’s passionate, solutions-oriented approach to public service is one that I respect and admire. Her leadership will be a tremendous asset.”

AG Kane Announces Charges Against Former ’Burg Mayor

Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane announced the arrest of Stephen R. Reed, the former Harrisburg Mayor now charged with various crimes, including using public money while in office to illicitly obtain artifacts and other memorabilia.

“This is one of the most disturbing cases of public corruption this office has investigated,” Attorney General Kane said. “Mayor Reed used taxpayer money to further his own interests. His conduct is at the root of the fiscal issues that continue to plague the City of Harrisburg today.”

In recent months, Kane has raised the visibility of her office by initiating other high-profile prosecutions. These acts may help burnish her image, which has been tarnished by controversies since she entered her office in 2013.

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