POLS ON THE STREET: Philadelphia Is Looking For A Hot July With Democratic Convention

by Joe Shaheeli

GIVING THUMBS UP, Lt. Gov. Mike Stack and Jamie McDermott get ready to ride to one of the warehouses at Phila. Regional Port Authority Nov. 20 for lunch and tour of port facilities. Photo by Wendell Douglas

With this Thanksgiving and Christmas season calendars carrying many a holiday or family event on almost everyone’s mind, especially the more attuned political readers, we felt it’s time to look at what’s going to be a major factor capturing all our attentions the end of next July, the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

It will be show business first, nominations second, and a need for Democratic leaders to figure out how to repackage and resell Hillary Clinton, sure to be the Democratic presidential standard-bearer.

Emmy Award-winning producer Ricky Kirshner and creative producer Vicangelo Bulluck will serve as executive producers for the National Convention. Both are tasked with crafting and implementing a program to transform the Wells Fargo Center into an engaging, innovative, and forward-looking convention for the history books. The pair will be responsible for the overall look and execution of the convention program, including the design, staging, lighting, audio and entertainment.

“Come July 2016, the world’s spotlight will shine on Philadelphia and the Democratic Party,” said Rev. Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. “We are confident this production team will give us a winning combination of experience, professionalism, and fresh ideas that will give our attendees and viewers at home a stellar experience.”

Bulluck executive-produced the NAACP Image Awards for 10 years. Kirshner is a nine-time Emmy-winning producer and winner of both a Peabody and Edward R. Murrow Award. Kirshner has worked on the production team of every convention since 1992, and served as an executive producer for the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte as well as the 2008 Convention in Denver.

The convention will be held at the Wells Fargo Center Jul. 25-28, 2016. The official website of the 2016 Democratic National Convention is www.demconvention.com.

Senate Bill 282 Could Spur Port Investment

The Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a roundtable discussion in Philadelphia last week to find ways to encourage waterfront development throughout Pennsylvania.

Much of the panel discussion was focused on SB 282, which would provide up to $10 million in tax credits to business entities and others that invest in waterfront development initiatives. The tax credits would be available to individuals or businesses that contribute to non-profit waterfront improvement organizations.

“By providing thousands of dollars in tax credits, we can fuel millions of dollars in direct economic development- and billions of dollars in adjacent investment,” said State Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh), who chairs the committee.

Seth And Staff Now Are More Sensitive

District Attorney Seth Williams took himself and his beleaguered key staffers and almost all his other supervisors to a day-long sensitivity training seminar held by CEO Paul Meshanko of Legacy Business Cultures. However, he won’t be left off the hook by the elected and activist ladies who demand he fire Frank Fina, Marc Constanza and Patrick Blessington.

Sean Stephens … another go at DeLissio.

Despite the persistent demand that will be leveled at him to do so, we believe his refusal is his right. He was elected by voters and if they feel his next time around they should have been fired, then they will make the decision. Attempts by groups, unhappy the way elected officials run their offices, will always be decided by the electorate. That is where these groups need to make their protests and appeals known.

Why Is Pam DeLissio Forever A Target?
Usually after the second successful term, a State Representative in Philadelphia or any other county can be considered a shoo-in. Why is that not the case with 194th Legislative Dist.?
State Rep. Pam DeLissio (D-Northwest) has served the 194th Legislative Dist. since 2010. The District includes parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties. She will be seeking her fourth term in the spring primary. She’s a 16-year inhabitant of the District.

Living and working in the District for over 16 years, she communicates with her constituents at monthly town hall meetings. She considers herself to be an active member of the Government Reform Caucus. In 2005, she was named one of “Pennsylvania’s 2005 Best 50 Women in Business.”

With all these going for her, why does she face a serious competitor each primary?

We could only think it is because her district spills over into Montgomery County, and active political Roxborough natives (which encompasses the 21st Ward) believe a Democratic 21st Ward united behind their challenge could make theirs a successful effort. Challengers believed she would push through term-limit legislation which she reportedly indicated would be one of her legislative targets. But that hasn’t happened.

FROM LEFT, State Rep. Mike O’Brien, Mark Squilla, Nora Lichtash, Pastor Richard Harris and State Rep. John Taylor attended groundbreaking at Women’s Community Revitalization Project and partner Firm Hope Baptist on Grace Townhomes, a residential development that will bring 36 newly built townhomes to blighted lot in Port Richmond and make them available to families as rental units with options for eventual ownership. Photo by Bill Myers

21st Ward Leader Lou Agre believes her key voting base is in Montco. “They have the school money they need, and none of the problems facing her Philadelphia County constituency. Her town-hall meetings play well to that voter base and that impression is what constantly stirs up a new challenger from Roxborough each primary. They feel their State Representative has to be more hands-on than she has perceived to be.”

A strong pro-police constituency in the 21st Ward might understand her vote against HB 1538 last week, a bill which would prohibit investigators from releasing the name for an indeterminate period of time of a law-enforcement officer involved in a shooting or use of force while on the job.

“I think the jobs that first responders and police officers do are tremendously important – there’s no discussion about that,” she said. “This discussion is about how best to go about balancing transparency and protection, and House Bill 1538 does not achieve that balance.”

DeLissio said creating a state law to govern all cases would be overreaching and local law-enforcement departmental policies are currently in place to protect officers in those instances where additional concerns for safety are identified. Local law enforcement makes such decisions every day and has the ability to take into consideration many extenuating factors, she added.

“Our law-enforcement officers deserve first-rate protection in the course of performing their duties, and thankfully those policies exist,” DeLissio said. “They exist because we entrust our law-enforcement community to use their professional judgement when determining the appropriate level of protection in cases involving a shooting or use of force. Since these policies and procedures are currently in place, it is not appropriate for legislators to make a blanket determination.”

Attorney Sean Stevens, 49, Kensington born and bred, but a 13 year resident of East Falls with his wife and two children, has made it known he will challenge her in the primary. His early announcement, he hopes, will keep out other challengers.

Like the unsuccessful challengers before him, Stevens believes there is more to communicating with constituents than through town-hall meetings. “When a voter comes to you with a City problem, you can’t send it off to a Councilman. You need to be not only the messenger, but you need to make sure the request is honored.”

From this read, Pam looks to be the stronger.

Brady Gives Tarheels A Needed Pickup

Congressman Bob Brady (D-Phila.) was as disappointed as the West Philadelphia Tarheels Football Team members when they will not be allowed to take part in the Pop Warner Mitey Mite invitational games at Disney World.

PROMOTING breast-cancer awareness was State Rep. Angel Cruz at Concilio in Feltonville. He was a one-man band, dishing out free lunch while counseling constituents. Photo by Wendell Douglas

So he reached out to the Eagles and secured 50 tickets for them to attend last Sunday’s Eagles game against Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“These kids were broken-hearted. They are nine-year-olds with a 10-0 record who played their hearts out this season. They were sure if they won the regional games they would be selected to go to Disney World. Well they got skipped over and I didn’t think it was fair.”

Brady did what good leaders do: He offered another gift, a picker-upper. He reached out to the Eagles and they offered the tickets to the team within minutes of his request. “I appreciate the Eagles for stepping up. These young people don’t deserve to be overlooked and I am so glad the Eagles are supporting these young boys,” he said.

Brady also provided transportation for the team to the Eagles stadium. “It may not be Disney World, but we made sure that they are recognized as the hard-working champions they are.”

Lt. Gov. Stack A Homebody

No matter his duties as Lieutenant Governor take him around the state, often confining him to legislative proceeds in Harrisburg, make no mistake in thinking Lt. Gov. Michael Stack has forsaken his Philadelphia base.

RADNOR PROPERTY GROUP’s David Yeager and Buzzuto Management held a grand opening soiree at 3737 Chestnut luxury apartments on Nov. 19 which Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell helped push to happen.

The former Northeast Philadelphia Senator spent last Friday on a fact-finding daylong tour of the workings of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, followed by a 5:30 p.m. event attending The John Scott Award, Board of City Trusts, 427 Chestnut Street. An hour later he addressed the Asian American Federation annual banquet, which honored departing Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey at the Ocean City Restaurant. Running a tight schedule, he couldn’t sit to eat, because he followed that up at 7:30 p.m. by attending the influential Latino awards of Impacto at the Hilton on the Delaware. After that he met with some of his committee people in his 58th Ward.

Groen Relinquishes Montgomery Post

Democratic State Democratic Chairman Marcel Groen has wisely decided one hat is enough to carry. He has stepped down as Montgomery County’s Democratic leader.

Taking the hat Groen had worn is Joseph Foster, who was the 1st vice chairman. Foster was elected unanimously.

“The Montgomery County Democratic Party is large and vibrant and growing,” Foster said. “I have learned over time that the most important thing we do is stay in the same boat rowing in the same direction. Unity is our success. As long as we stay together, we will be successful.”

Treasurer Jason Salus moved up to fill in as the 1st vice chairman while attorney Michael Barbiero was chosen treasurer.

Groen’s strong ally, Philadelphia Chairman Congressman Bob Brady says he sees a stronger State Party with the former Montco chairman at the helm full time.

Congratulations To Tracey On Her Son’s Marriage

ASIAN American Federation of United States held its Police Night Banquet at Ocean City Restaurant in Chinatown. From left are AAFUS Chairman Jack Xiao, AAFUS founder Mahn Suh Park, Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, Vernon Price and Lan Nguyen.

We didn’t think Tracey Gordon, a former City Commission staffer, had another life. But she does and we are pleased to report the “marriage of my oldest son, Adoniyah Harrison to his long time girlfriend, fiancée Ashley Williams. I am so happy for my son and my daughter-in-law; they grew up right here in the Lower Southwest District and I always prayed for my children to find love amongst the people in our community.”

Perhaps his mother’s pause in political activities gave Adoniyah time to catch up with Ashley.

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