Pols on The Street: Did 1st Debate Energize Voters?

The first of the mayoral debates took place Tuesday.
Sponsored by the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, “The Future of Philadelphia: A Mayoral Town Hall Debate” at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 237 S. Broad Street.
The event was free and open to the public, but registration was required.
On Oct. 12, the “Leading Questions: Philadelphia Mayoral Debate” will take place at WHYY, 150 N. Sixth Street. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the debate starting at 6:30 p.m.
The debate — sponsored by WHYY/NewsWorks, the Committee of Seventy, Young Involved Philadelphia, NAACP Millennials, Influencing Action Movement and the Urban Philly Professional Network — requires registration and will be livestreamed.

HON. Marian Tasco congratulates Montco Chairman Marcel Groen on his election as State Party Chair replacing Jim Burn. Photo by Joe Stivala

On Oct. 19, the” Next Mayor Debate” occurs at Temple Performing Arts Center, 1837 N. Broad Street.
Focused on business and economic development, this event will be co-hosted by Philadelphia Media Network, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s Roadmap for Growth campaign and Temple University’s Center for Public Interest Journalism. Event partners include WHYY, Committee of Seventy, WURD Radio, Young Involved Philadelphia, and Technically Philly.

Chance For Foster To Make A Wave

Newspaper publisher Jim Foster is on the ballot as an independent candidate for Mayor of Philadelphia and has blasted TV debate sponsors planning mayoral-candidate forums for excluding him.
He says, “I believe I know as much about this city, its operations and finances as anyone in elected office and a good bit more than many. This process of selective exclusion runs directly contrary to recently published comments by the director of the Committee of Seventy, David Thornburgh. WHYY News Works and the Chestnut Hill Local are the only two media sources that have published any in-depth background material relative to my long standing and validated challenges to the status quo, but I will be the guest of the Pen & Pencil Club on Oct. 7 and I expect they will want to go way beyond superficial reporting.”
He adds his message to voters can be “reduced to its simplest terms: The major problem with Philadelphia and where it is headed is financial. A city way too top-heavy, with an expensive and unnecessary leadership class that is a throwback to the days when we had a 2.2 million population and kept records with manual typewriters and file cards.”

Was Pa. Auditor General Asleep All This Time?

Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale announced his endorsement of Philadelphia Democratic mayoral nominee Jim Kenney, noting Kenney’s commitment to reforming the City’s pension system and fighting for a fair funding formula for Philadelphia’s schools.
“Jim Kenney understands the City’s pension and education crises cannot be solved overnight,” said the Auditor General. “He is prepared to address these issues head on by regularly reviewing pension-management and -investment contracts, and urging state government to properly fund the School District. I look forward to working with him to bring Philadelphia’s pension system and School District back to fiscal stability.”
We ask Eugene: What took you so long?

Republican Dan Tinney Has Major Support

Newcomer Dan Tinney is the only Republican candidate for Council at Large to receive the coveted labor endorsements of the Philadelphia AFL-CIO and the Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council for the General Election in November.
“I am so humbled and honored to get the trusted endorsements of the Philadelphia AFL-CIO and the Philadelphia Building Trades,” said Tinney, himself a member of Steamfitters Local 420. “As a 3rd-generation union member in my family in Northeast Philadelphia, I am 100% pro-union, pro-labor and pro-jobs.

ROSANNE Pauciello, Vice Chairperson of the Philly Democratic Party is seen in a private audience (1992) with Pope John Paul. . While in Rome, Italy for a Vatican visit. John Paul and now Francis disproved the Joseph Stalin statement: ” How many divisionsthe does the Pope have?” Photo courtesy of Joe Stivala

Tinny currently works as a full-time Steamfitters Union member. He holds dual business degrees from Penn State in business logistics and international business. He also studied business in Taipei, Taiwan.
Tinney worked in the private sector as a financial adviser before joining local 420 Steamfitters.
Tinney was described by Philadelphia AFL-CIO President Pat Eiding as “the candidate in the Republican at-large race that would be a true advocate for labor in City Hall.”

All Appellate Candidates Sign Campaign Pledge

On Nov. 3, voters will be filling three seats on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, one seat on the Pennsylvania Superior Court and one seat on the Commonwealth Court.
All the candidates seeking Superior Court and Supreme Court seats have signed a “Judicial Candidate’s Pledge” promising to adhere to advertising guidelines that promote fair and dignified campaigns.
“Each candidate has signed a pledge to refrain from making statements that might be subject to misinterpretation or distortion,” said Richard M. Goldberg, chair of the PBA Judicial Campaign Advertising Committee, which is charged with investigating judicial-advertising complaints made by one candidate against another and with determining if the complaint has merit.”
So what happens if a super PAC decides to ignore this pledge, especially a week or two before election day?

Tracy Also Gets Key Endorsements

Terry Tracy, Republican candidate for City Council at Large has received endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 and the International Association of Fire Fighters & Paramedics Local 22. On receiving their endorsement, Tracy commented, “It is really an honor to have the continued support of both the F.O.P and Local 22, particularly at this critical juncture in the fall campaign. I have the utmost respect for the tremendous sacrifices our police, firefighters, paramedics, and their families make day in and day out.
“It is apparent that members of both organizations are looking for new leadership and more-effective advocates in the City’s legislature. The only way I know how to repay them for their support is to continue to fight for our many shared interests once on Council, and I intend to do just that.”
Tracy also has the support of Local 1199C.

Kane Isn’t A Dead Horse Yet

Attorney General Kathleen Kane knows, which others don’t, “A women scorned is an eternal enemy”
She’s threatened the release of more porn-related emails, and she allegedly told a top aide when her office was investigated by Montgomery County detectives, “If I get taken out of here in handcuffs, what do you think my last act will be?” Attorney General Kathleen Kane has had her office refer some potentially illicit emails to the Judicial Conduct Board, which is responsible for reviewing, investigating, and prosecuting complaints of judicial misconduct. Watch the shoes drop!

PEG PAC Endorses Judge Olson For Supreme Court

PEG PAC, the affiliated political action committee of the Pennsylvania Business Council and the state’s oldest pro-business PAC, has endorsed Superior Court Judge Judy Olson for Supreme Court.
“Judge Judy Olson will bring a well-crafted legal mind and a studious background to the State Supreme Court,” said David W. Patti, president and CEO of the PBC. “The makeup of our courts is critical to the business community. Judge Olson understands a justice needs to look at each case individually, on its merits, and without an agenda. Olson has had a distinguished career both in the private sector – as a commercial litigator and anti-trust lawyer – on the bench and in public service. We believe her elevation to the Supreme Court is important for Pennsylvania’s business community.”

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