POLS ON THE STREET: Jim Kenney Plays It Smart On Debate Rules

by Joe Shaheeli

Though considered the odds-on favorite to win the general election and become the city’s next Mayor, Jim Kenney keeps adhering to the axiom not to give too much debate time to opponents. In this particular period, his campaign team is telling television moderators the exclusion of the three independents is necessary from the remaining television debates, since neither he nor his Republican opponent would have enough time to fully explain their positions.

DEMOCRATIC mayoral candidate Jim Kenney continues to push his campaign at fast pace. Here he addresses recent meeting of LDC Local 57 members as Business Mgr. Walt Higgins looks on. Photo by Jim Harrity

This has sent independent candidate Jim Foster into one of his famous tirades, the kind that has earned him the respect in much of the circulation area covered by his Independent Voice newspaper in Germantown and Mt. Airy. His opening remarks now, wherever he goes, are on “Why is Kenney Afraid?”

If the other independents, Boris Kindij and Osborne Hart, could muster support behind Foster, we could possibly see a reversal of their exclusion from the scheduled debates.

He charges, “I have spent over 10 years focusing on city government issues, ‘following the money’ as Irv Homer used to say, and I have published a Northwest Philadelphia newspaper where we focus on city and state governance as well as local and broad city quality-of-life issues. Our newspaper is well regarded and delivered free to 30,000 residents. I invite you to our expanded and interactive web pages with PDF of the print issue at germantownnewspapers.com.

“There you can access to my already-published 10-point platform, something more extensive than either Kenney or Bailey have presented.

“Without individual evaluation, I am told the boards of WHYY, Inquirer/Daily News, Seventy, WURD, ABC and other sponsoring organizations have just arbitrarily disregarded all independent or third-party candidates. I would welcome a legitimate debate with any of the major-party candidates in any forum. What took place last Tuesday was far from a debate, but a choreographed question-and-answer session. However, I am an invited guest on WHYY’s ‘Radio Times’ this morning.”

Sheriff Williams, Others Mourn Jerry Mondesire

Sheriff Jewell Williams offered the following in response to the death of veteran Philadelphia NAACP leader Jerry Mondesire:

“Jerry was a fearless defender of truth and a tireless advocate for justice,” said the Sheriff. “He was also a committed family man and a good friend. His death will leave a void across the nation, which is what happens when an irreplaceable voice is silenced. My condolences to his children and fiancée Cathy. A good father. A good man. A good friend. He will be missed.”

SUCCESSFUL Fish Fry turned out hardworking 16th Ward Democratic activists at Lou & Choo’s fish fry, spearheaded by Ward Leader Sheriff Jewell Williams. Photo by Bill Myers

“Jerry used the power of the pen and the bullhorn to advocate for those in Philadelphia without a voice,” says Cherri Gregg, president of Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. “He fought not only for Philadelphia’s Black community but for all people of color and wanted nothing more than for all people in this city to be treated justly.”

Condolences were also registered by Mayor Michael Nutter and other elected officials.

Mondesire, 65, was a founding member of PABJ.

Two To Challenge Fattah So Far

State Rep. Brian Sims (D-S. Phila.) announced his candidacy for the 2nd Congressional Dist., joining attorney Dan Muroff, who has already made clear his intention to challenge the beleaguered Congressman Chaka Fattah.

Sims is an attorney and civil-rights advocate in Center City. Muroff is the leader of the 9^th Ward.

Expect others to enter the fray should Fattah go to trial shortly.

Dem Women To Hear From All Candidates

The Democratic Women of Philadelphia will be hosting their Candidates Day Event Saturday, Oct. 17 at the IBEW Local 98 Conference Room, 17th & Spring Garden Streets, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. All candidates who are running in the November election are invited to attend. Guests are also welcome. Refreshments will be served.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please call President Yvonne Sawyer at (267) 229-8507.

Green Party Looking For Political Candidates

Chris Robinson reports the Green Party of Philadelphia is looking for candidates to run for elected office in 2016, especially in the State House.

He notes a Gallup 2015 found 60% of the voters felt a third party is needed to challenge the two old parties with new ideas. Greens believe building a new political party should start in each neighborhood. They are looking to field candidates for Pennsylvania State Representative who are fed up with the deadlock in Harrisburg.

PROMOTING minority business opportunities at Navy Yard, Councilwoman led tour of site. With her, from left, were Sulaiman Rahman, Marla Hamilton of PIDC, Tiffany Newmuis of DNC Host Committee, Reynolds Brown, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, Bruce Crawley of Millennium 3, marketing consultant Patricia Thomas-LaRoche and Paul Deegan of PIDC. Photo by Bill Myers

“Our call for new political candidates is wide open,” said Hillary Kane, GPOP Treasurer from Cedar Park. “The Green Party is not your typical group of old political hacks. We are interested in young people who are ready to take the plunge into politics, especially women and people of color who are usually excluded by the two corporate parties.”

Chris Robinson has been a member at large of the Green Party of Philadelphia City Committee since 2011. He can be reached at (215) 843-4256 and nwgreens@yahoo.com.

Two Ladies Now Chasing Meehan

Lindy Li acknowledges she doesn’t fit the typical profile of a congressional candidate. She’s 24 and, if elected, would be the youngest woman to serve in Congress. But she said she sees her age as a benefit. She’d bring a fresh perspective and she’d come to the job with the energy with which she led her class at Princeton University and organized an energy-saving campaign on college campuses.

Li, a Delaware County financial adviser, is running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Congressman Pat Meehan in the 7th Dist. in 2016. She’s the second Democrat to enter the race.

Mary Ellen Balchunis, a college professor from Delaware County and the party’s 2014 nominee, is also vying for the nomination. The district includes parts of Berks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster and Montgomery Counties in a convoluted gerrymander that observers have dubbed “Goofy Kicking Donald Duck.” Although it was drawn to be a safe Republican seat, demographic changes in suburban Southeastern Pennsylvania are offering hope to Democrats.

Born in China, Li immigrated to the United States via England with her family at age 6.

Kane Needs To Ponder If She Will Run Again

With the announcement by Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli he’s put together a PAC for a run at Attorney General, that contest is attracting enough candidates to make it more interesting than answering the question should Kathleen Kane consider another run.

Morganelli was the Democratic nominee for Attorney General in 2008, but lost to then-incumbent and future Governor Tom Corbett by a 52% to 46% margin. He has served as Northampton County DA since 1992.

Democratic prosecutor Jack Stollsteimer is also running and Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro is expected to jump into the race as well.

DEVELOPER John Westrum congratulates Council President Darrell Clarke after President’s speech to Building Industry Association. Clarke gave previews of major project in Brewerytown and upcoming plan to fund School District.

On the Republican side, State Sen. John Rafferty and State Rep. Todd Stephens (both R-Montgomery) are competing for the nomination.

Rafferty claims, “With the support of 26 members of the State Senate, including State Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati and Majority Leader Jake Corman, the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police and the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association, our campaign for Attorney General is off to a great start and we will be working very hard in the coming weeks and months to continue building that momentum.”

Rafferty represents the residents of Pennsylvania’s 44th Senatorial Dist., which includes parts of Berks, Chester and Montgomery Counties. He was reelected for a fourth term in the Senate in November 2014. He also is a former Pennsylvania State Deputy Attorney General.

But if Kane weathers her trials, look for her to be a sure candidate, since name recognition is the game and hers will be well remembered by voters – with the majority not sure why.

PFT Endorses Al In Council Race

The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers has endorsed Republican Al Taubenberger for Philadelphia City Council at Large).

“Throughout our endorsement process, Al Taubenberger demonstrated a clear understanding of the serious concerns of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers,” said PFT President Jerry Jordan. “Al understands that, in order to improve outcomes for the schoolchildren of Philadelphia, it’s incumbent upon city- and state-government officials to fully support the talented men and women of the PFT.”

INDIGENOUS People’s Day was celebrated at Sister Clara Muhammad School as get-together for all area citizens of Indian descent. Host State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown was joined here by Songbird, Pocahontas and other participants.

That endorsement is the third high-profile union endorsement of Taubenberger’s candidacy, following the earlier endorsements of Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 and Philadelphia Firefighters & Paramedics Union Local 22.

Taubenberger said, “I am a proud product of Philadelphia’s public-school system, as are all of my children. My wife is a retired public-school teacher and a member in good standing of the PFT. Our city’s dedicated public-school teachers, administrators and nurses are the first and best line of defense to ensure the city’s children are well educated in safe and nurturing school environments.”

Pa. State Troopers Endorse Dougherty

The Pennsylvania State Troopers Association has endorsed Judge Kevin Dougherty for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, reports Pennsylvania State Troopers Association President Joseph R. Kovel. Prior endorsements include the Fraternal Order of Police Pennsylvania State Lodge and the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association.

Kovel praised Judge Dougherty’s record, saying, “Throughout his long and distinguished career on the judicial bench, Judge Kevin Dougherty has demonstrated his commitment to maintaining law and order and an unwavering respect for law enforcement officials at every level of government.”

FOP And Firefighters Endorse Dan Tinney

Philadelphia FOP Lodge 5 and IAFF Local 22 Philadelphia Fire Fighters & Paramedics union have endorsed Republican candidate Dan Tinney in his campaign for City Council at Large in the general election on Nov. 3.

“We are very proud to endorse Dan Tinney for City Council at Large in the general election. Dan Tinney is a neighborhood guy with strong ties to our union membership in the community. As a fellow union member with Local 420 Steamfitters, we believe he will always support our brothers and sisters in blue in City Hall.” said FOP President John McNesby.

“The men and women of IAFF Local 22 take great pride in selecting Dan Tinney to endorse in the general election for Council at Large,” said Local 22 President Andrew Thomas.

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