POLS ON THE STREET: His Plate Overfloweth

Johnny (“Doc”) Dougherty, Jr., has informed Party Chairman Congressman Bob Brady he is resigning as leader of the 1st Ward Democrats and is endorsing Tommy Rumbaugh, his ward chairman, for the leadership, doing so at a dinner for close associates and members of the ward.

The move comes as a surprise among some of his fellow ward leaders, but not to those who understand the responsibilities and goals Dougherty has set for himself.

COLLEAGUES applaud as veteran Councilwomen Marian Tasco gives her last speech in City Council. Thousands turned out earlier at Convention Center for epic farewell party.

Moving him to that decision were several facts: As a ward leader, he moved through the party’s elite ingratiating himself with his colleagues, helping them with fundraisers, turkey giveaways, dinners and manpower on election days. They rallied around him, pushing hard, to help him realize his key ambition: to elect his brother Justice-Elect Kevin Dougherty to the State Supreme Court.

Now his succession to the leadership of the Building Trades Joint Council, replacing Pat Gillespie as President, has helped tilt him away from the day-to-day activities of Democratic politics and back to his first love: the business of unionism.

Dougherty has expanded the reach of his IBEW Local 98, doing so with the acquisition of other IBEW locals anxious for his leadership.

During his tenure within the party, Dougherty made effective use of his local’s PACs. Many are the Democratic and Republican office-holders who were helped along their campaign trails by him.

Though he now is immersing himself deeper into his roles as a union leader, he continues to ignore entreaties by the leadership of the International IBEW to join them in a key position in Washington, D.C.

Dougherty will continue to be a major force in the party politics of this City and the Commonwealth as seen by the host of key Dougherty supporters who have been appointed to positions in the Kenney and Wolf Administrations.

Mayor-Elect Jim Kenney Hosts Inaugural Block Party

Mayor-Elect Jim Kenney will host an inaugural block party inside the Broad Street Atrium of the Pennsylvania Convention Center from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 4. The event will feature local food trucks and live music and entertainment. The event is free, but invitation only.

The Kenney 2015 team has partnered with the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia for this event. In the invitations, all guests will be asked to make a donation to the Fund. Kenney will also attend a Fund reception prior to the block party in order to thank large contributors to the Fund. Fund representatives will also circulate throughout the block party to accept donations from guests.

Kathleen Kane Story A Documentary Film

History Making Productions, a Sam Katz initiative, will make The Kane Mutiny, a documentary film that will trace the story of Attorney General Kathleen Kane, the first woman and Democrat elected as Pennsylvania’s chief law-enforcement officer.

Katz already has an Emmy Award-winning documentary film to his credit, Philadelphia: The Great Experiment and Urban Trinity: The Story of Catholic Philadelphia. He believes Kathleen Kane will be another.

CONGRESSMAN Bob Brady paid visit to Phila. Regional Port Authority Board meeting this week, encouraging closer cooperation with congressional delegation. With him are former Congressman Bob Borski, Board member John Dougherty, Jr., and Board Chairman Gerard Sweeney.

Dems To Challenge Rep. Martina White

Francis Nelms is hoping to get the Democratic Caucus nod in the 170th Dist. in the Far Northeast. He’s the first to announce, with at least one other waiting for blessings. In any event, State Rep. Martina White (R-Northeast), who will be seeking her first full term as the Republican incumbent, will have a fight in the general election.

Look for a Democratic primary in that legislative district, which includes parts of the 58th and 66th Wards.

Nelms is well known in the district and has begun campaigning.

Well Done, Managing Director Richard Negrin!

With announcements rolling out on a steady basis of new appointments to handle City responsibilities by Mayor-Elect Jim Kenney, it is easy to forget those who ably served the citizens under Mayor Michael Nutter. One we would like to acknowledge is former Deputy Mayor and Managing Dir. Richard Negrin. The law firm to which he is going can consider itself lucky.

The Mayor said, “Rich Negrin has been an outstanding public servant and leader in the administration. He’s tackled major issues and helped this administration find innovative solutions to long-standing problems and Philadelphians have garnered tremendous value through his work.”

ELEGANT affair at South on N. Broad Street helped raise funds for Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell’s massive holiday party for homeless citizens which took place yesterday. From left are restaurateur Youma Bala of Kilimanjaro, Blackwell, Della Clark of The Enterprise Center and Joann Mitchell.

Under his direction, the Managing Director’s Office cluster has earned numerous awards for its work, including the 2012 White House Champions of Change Award for Local Innovation, the 2012 Community Policing Award for Community Governance from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the 2014 and 2015 World Festival & Event City Award from the International Festival & Events Association, the 2014 Digital Cities Award from Government Technology, and the 2013 Big Vision Award for the 311 Mobile App.

Negrin has also been personally recognized for his leadership, earning many honors including the National Latino Lawyer of the Year Award from the Hispanic National Bar Association, NeighborWorks America’s Visionary Leadership Award and the Community Champion Award from the Friends of the Free Library.

Negrin will become a Partner at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel, a full-service law firm headquartered in Philadelphia.

We liked him for his down-to-earth approach in making decisions.

Budget Likely By Christmas

We strongly believe the General Assembly will agree on a budget and give Gov. Tom Wolf, legislators and everyone in need of State money a Merry Christmas.

Though House members kept adding bacon bits to their package, they know that has to end. The simple reason is they are all up for reelection. Time to go home and mend fences.

Lots of primary opposition is expected for both Republican and Democratic incumbents. In Philadelphia, almost every district will face Republican opposition in the general, no matter how fruitless the effort may seem. The local GOP understands it needs to increase its presence and image in this town.

Rep. John Taylor Understands District Campaigning

Philadelphia GOP Party Chair State Rep. John Taylor (R-Northeast), who also chairs the Transportation Committee in the House, understands the 177th Legislative Dist. is a tough one to assess when election time rolls around. Naturally, the first order is to raise money, which is what his campaign committee with Carl Ciglar as treasurer is doing.

KATIE MCGINTY, Montco Vice Chair of the Commissioners Valerie Arkoosh, Eleanor Dezzi and Bonnie Squires were pleased with the turn-out at the Genevieve Society reception on Friday afternoon. Photo by Bonnie Squires

They are hosting a major fundraiser cocktail celebration and buffet at La Veranda, 30 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, on Jan. 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. It’s a high-profile, high-priced event worthy of his growing stature in the Commonwealth.

Brian Gordon Has Environment Policy

Brian Gordon becomes the first candidate in the 2nd Congressional Dist. primary race to establish an environmental policy. If he thinks coming up with policies such as this as attracting voter support, he just doesn’t understand the needs of the district’s voters.

182nd May See Busy Primary

Whatever it is that State Rep. Brian Sims (D-S. Phila.) is not doing in the minds of some residents in the 182nd Dist. is drawing them to believe he can be bested in the coming primary.

So far, promising to compete in the Democratic primary are birth-services expert Marisa Piccarreto; attorney Marni Jo Snyder; possibly Ben Waxman, an aide to State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-W. Phila.); and now Lou Lanni, who has been pardoned by Gov. Tom Wolf for a fraud case in which he was convicted. Fortunately for Lanni, the real culprit finally confessed and is now serving time. Sims is hoping to duplicate in the 2nd Congressional Dist. what Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-Phila.) did in the 13th Congressional Dist., which was to win that seat while holding and winning his legislative-district seat.

Seeking to enter the 2nd Dist. primary are heavyweights State Rep. Dwight Evans (D-N. Phila.), 9th Ward Leader Dan Muroff and Lower Merion Township Commissioner Brian Gordon.

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