DON’T FORGET THE PHONE NUMBER!!
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Plan to attend this meeting
I read your cover story, For popular planner, what’s ahead?, in the Oct. 16 issue of the Northeast Times.
As president of Lawndale Revitalization Project Inc., I have worked personally with Shari Cooper and have found her to be highly motivated and dedicated to serving the people of Northeast Philadelphia.
Shari clearly demonstrates the old-time work ethic of long hours and hard work, with an intent focus on improving the quality of life in Northeast Philadelphia. She truly is a “breath of fresh air.”
With this in mind, I invite all business/civic organization leaders in the Northeast to attend the first meeting of the Northeast Philadelphia Business/Civic Consortium.
Our first order of business shall be to discuss the recent events involving Shari Cooper and the position we feel she should hold in order to continue to best serve our needs. We will also discuss our relationship as a consortium with City Hall and the Philadelphia Planning Commission.
This meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 6:30 p.m., at the office of Mark One Printing, 6314 Rising Sun Ave.
Please respond by Nov. 4 by e-mailing mark@m1p.com or fax 215-742-0810.
Mark Orehowsky
President, Lawndale Revitalization Project
Religion is a private matter
In the Letters to the Editor section of your Oct. 16 edition, T. Donlon wants “Christian, American values in schools, our government and our lives.”
We are all Americans but not all Christian, so leave religion out of the schools and government, and if you want you can have it in YOUR life, but I’ll make my own choice.
Bill Shanahan
Pennypack
Make no mistake, folks:
Every vote counts
This is an open letter to all the residents of Northeast Philadelphia. I would like to take this opportunity to urge each and every registered voter in the area to come out on Tuesday, Nov. 4 and VOTE.
No matter who you support for mayor — whether it be John Street, Sam Katz or if you are still like many, undecided — it is incumbent upon each of us to cast a vote.
This election is very important for many reasons. First, the position of mayor has a great impact on the daily lives of each and every one of us. We will also be voting for members of City Council, who write and debate all of the city laws. Their jobs are to be our voices and advocates in City Council and to enact legislation that will benefit the people they represent.
We will also be electing the row offices (city commissioners, sheriff, register of wills, and clerk of quarter sessions) and many judicial seats.
We will be electing one spot on the state Supreme Court, three spots on Superior Court, and electing and retaining many of our Municipal, Common Pleas, and Traffic Court judges.
If history has taught us anything in the recent past, it is that every vote counts. Three years ago, the presidency of the United States was decided by less than 1,000 votes in Florida. The mayor’s office was decided four years ago by around 10,000 votes. That means that if only five or six people in each voting division around this city voted differently four years ago, we would have a different mayor today.
I understand that many of you out there do not believe that your one vote matters. I have an aunt who lives in Dade County, Fla. She can tell you better than anyone — YOUR VOTE MATTERS.
So please do your homework, learn where each candidate stands, make an educated decision, and vote! If you are not registered to vote or have not re-registered in a new address, please do so as soon as possible so you can vote next year.
We live in the greatest country in the world because we have the power to choose our leaders and we each have a say in how our country is run.
Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or anything else it is important that you vote.
Whether you are a man, woman, white, black, Asian, Hispanic, Jewish, Russian, Italian, Irish, or anything else, it is very important that you vote.
I hope to see each and every one of you out there on Election Day showing off why this is the greatest nation in the world. Vote Tuesday, Nov. 4.
David J. Kushner
Somerton
Keep those billboards down
Dungan Civic Association strongly opposes the replacing of the billboards at the new Rhawn Street bridge.
The intersection at Rhawn Street and Dungan Road and the bridge has a beautiful new face. This was achieved by the cooperation of the residents, business owners, Fox Chase Civic and Dungan Civic Associations and, from the start, by our district councilman, Brian J. O’Neill.
This intersection now is attractive and, in keeping with our new upscale look, unwanted billboards should not blight the view. They were taken down and should remain down. Thank you, Brian O’Neill, and all the city and state officials that secured the funds for the bridge and the new look for our community.
Wanda Exline
President, Dungan Civic Association
A vote for
Brian O’Neill . . .
There is an old business adage that says “You never pass up a good deal for a better deal.” Brian O’Neill is a good deal and Democratic challenger Bob McCarthy is not a better deal.
Councilman O’Neill has demonstrated his support for our communities in the city in every way that one can, particularly by encouraging and supporting our civic association and Town Watch groups, supporting homeowners with real estate tax appeals, securing grants for community organizations, and helping us by proposing ordinances to limit real estate tax increases, and for the city to pick up the cost of pipes that connect the water mains to private residences, etc.
You should only change elected representatives when there is a compelling reason, and I submit to you, the residents of the 10th Councilmanic District, the compelling reason is to re-elect Councilman O’Neill.
Michael E. Hartey
Burholme
. . . And a vote against
Brian O’Neill
Back In September, I had the pleasure of meeting Bob McCarthy, City Council candidate. I was outside my home watching him go door to door talking to neighbors about how he will improve a lot of the problems we face in the Northeast.
When Bob made his way to my steps, we chatted for a few minutes about a number of issues, and then he moved to the next house.
Since Bob’s first visit to my block, Pelle Circle, he has returned three more times. I have lived on this street for seven years. I would not be able to tell you what his opponent looks like or the issues he represents. The people of the Northeast need a new man to represent us. Bob’s active campaigning in our neighborhood was impressive, and that is how he will fight in City Hall to correct problems in the Northeast.
If Bob McCarthy fights for the Northeast the way he fought for my vote, the Northeast residents will finally be in good hands. I would rather vote for someone who earned my vote like Bob than someone who expects my vote, like his opponent.
Evelyn Case
Modena Park
Mayor John Rendell?
Mayor Ed Street?
This may sound like a far out question this time of year, but does anyone know who REALLY is running for mayor of Philadelphia these days? (I ask sarcastically). I was under the impression it was John Street vs. Sam Katz, NOT John Street-Ed Rendell vs. Sam Katz.
What’s with Eddie? I thought he was supposed to be the governor of Pennsylvania. Instead, every time there’s an issue with Mayor Street, just as sure as God made little green apples, there is Rendell: speaking, talking, defending a situation on Street’s behalf. It’s as if Rendell was running for mayor himself.
I also thought Rendell was somewhat an intelligent man on this issue with the FBI. Anyone with half a brain knows “where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” The FBI would not be poking around unless they were on to something. It really doesn’t matter about the timing of their investigation. Remember, they are the FBI. If there is anything to it, I would rather it come out now, before an election. Who wants to put someone else crooked in office? There’s enough of that going around.
Yet, you still have those certain few that will vote for Street because they feel sorry for what he is going through. Or you have those who will vote Democrat come hell or high water. They would even put some zoo animal in office, just as long as it was Democrat. Let’s not forget the old issue of race — vote for me because I’m black. And finally, you have those nitwits who will vote for Street because they liked our former Mayor Rendell. Somehow they think they’re voting, in a roundabout way, for Rendell.
Yes, it does get confusing when the man who is supposed to be our governor is running around down here in Philadelphia like he is the one running for mayor. Hey, Eddie, don’t you think it’s time you go back to Harrisburg and take care of the whole state of Pennsylvania? Last time I heard, there is much need for improvement.
Diane McDowell
Parkwood
Who are the real minorities?
I find it astonishing that Mayor Street and his friend/lawyer Mr. White are inferring that this federal probe is targeting minorities.
First off, if I’m not mistaken, whites, Asians, Hispanics and others of national origin are the real minorities living in Philadelphia. This must be the real reason our beloved mayor stated that the brothers and sisters are running the city.
Corruption is corruption, and I get angered at the fact that these two and a few of their followers choose to hide behind the apron strings of color.
I consider that the true sign of a coward. If they can’t defend their actions, they rally the brothers and sisters and tell them that they are the ones being attacked.
Osama bin Laden must be so proud that his tactics of rallying the Muslim world so he and his band of terrorist murderers can continue to be the leaders is being imitated by an American politician fomenting racial tension so he can stay in power.
Henry Netter
Morrell Park
Don’t vote for
wrong-way Street
I do not see the great job Mayor Street has done for the Northeast. Some areas of Mayfair are in a decline. This was an area I grew up in, and now you couldn’t give me a house in this area of the city.
If we have four more years of John Street, you won’t be able to walk down the street at night in Mayfair. Crime is on the increase due to a lack of police presence in this part of the city.
Everyone is bragging that he’s done a great job and that the streets were plowed when it snowed. My block didn’t see a plow until two days after the last snowstorm, after, of course, the snow was packed down and turned to ice.
I feel another tax increase coming next year already, and you know who will be paying the highest taxes, too — the Northeast.
I am tired of Mayor Street and his cronies saying it is awful suspicious that the bug and the investigation are happening so close to Election Day. They seem to be blaming Sam Katz and the Republican Party.
We do not know how long the investigation has been going on, and this all became public after the bug was found. It just seems very interesting to me that this all began after the bug was found by the police department.
This could have all been orchestrated by the Street campaign to get people thinking the FBI investigation was another Republican ploy to go after a black Democrat running for a major city office.
Mayor Street has played the race card more than any other public official I’ve seen. If someone says something derogatory about him, he thinks it’s because he is black, not because he’s giving a job to a family member, which is just not ethical.
Mayor Street is a very hands-on person, and for him to say he was not involved in a contract bid or anything to do with his administration is just a lie.
PHILADELPHIA CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER FOUR YEARS OF STREET.
Sam Katz is a businessman. He knows how to handle money. Perhaps that is what the city needs: somebody to run it like a business. He certainly couldn’t do any worse than our present mayor.
Kimberly Keenan
Academy Gardens
• • •
John Street wonders why only blacks are being looked at in the FBI criminal probe scandal at City Hall. Gee, John, could it be that your inner circle is all black? John Street promised that those who contribute to his campaign would get city contracts, so is it any wonder that the fine line between a contribution and a kickback is being examined?
Street cries foul, saying that “pay to play” is the way it’s always been done and the FBI is on a fishing expedition. No expedition here, as the lake is well-stocked with fat bellies just waiting to be caught.
Street portrays himself as a victim because he knows it is a ploy that will work in the undereducated sections of the city. If he cries loud and often enough, conspiracy theorists looking for a white boogyman will swallow the bait.
After playing a joker on the city for four years he only has one card left in the deck and he will use it until it’s all used up. Anything to distract voters from his backroom dealings and his pathetic record of service.
The Disney hole at Eighth and Market streets? Abandoned cars towed? It should have been done anyway.
The stadium deals? Two years after Pittsburgh’s were completed, even though we got the state funding at the same time. Street tried his hardest to have the stadiums built on land owned by his contributors and associates, yet failed.
Street has given a city contract to a friend who owes thousands in delinquent property taxes, he charges $5,000 for access to his mayor’s box at Eagles games, a box the taxpayers paid for; he attempted to appoint his wife to a high-paid administration position; he was nowhere to be found when the pier collapsed at Penn’s Landing; he blamed the media for the outrage about his brother’s no-bid airport contract. Just fill in the blank, because this list could go on forever.
Let us also remember that as City Council president, he cried racism and had the incompetent 911 dispatchers who erred in the death of Eddie Polec reinstated. The same tired old moan as today: “All the guilty people are black, so it must be racist.”
Philadelphia does deserve better, much better or else we will mirror Detroit, Chicago and other cities in vast decay and decline.
Lon Levin
Wissinoming
Councilman reacts
to editorial
I have several concerns about your story in last week’s editions on the renaming of Northwood Park and your accompanying editorial.
Although it was too late for the edition of your newspaper carrying these articles, the day before the newspaper hit the streets I had asked the mayor to veto the renaming bill.
My decision to request the veto came after much discussion with incoming Northwood Civic Association president Jim Howarth, who conducted himself as a gentleman throughout this controversy.
However, the major impetus for my change in position came from the emotions and reactions of my wife and mother-in-law.
As your article notes, they were humbled and somewhat embarrassed when some Northwood natives proposed the name change. Neither they nor I expected the backlash received by some Northwood residents. (Fortunately, other neighbors have been generous and sympathetic in their response, including some opposed to the change).
My wife and mother-in-law were deeply hurt by some critics who resorted to unfair and intensely personal attacks on Joe Colligan. I wasn’t willing to allow the controversy and their pain to intensify. I do object to your editorial’s assertion that I was less than truthful throughout this process. I am much more accustomed to being accused of being too honest in my words and actions.
As I have told Northwood Civic, I was under the mistaken impression that the civic had been advised of the name change by my office. It was not, and for that I take the blame. But I was not trying to legislate the name change “under the radar.” When the controversy arose, I addressed it directly in phone and message board conversations with Northwood residents. That dialogue aided the resolution of this situation.
I also have concerns with Grace Muller, the current president of Northwood Civic, attempting to use this issue to further her political agenda. Grace is active in Republican politics, as evidenced currently by the Katz sign on her lawn.
Her comments that we need to elect Jack Kelly as a Northeast at-large councilperson to protect against this legislation is self-serving and disingenuous.
Jack Kelly is a good man, and if elected, I am sure he will be an excellent Council member once again. However, no at-large member is going to override the views of the district Council member on a district issue.
Grace’s comments were part of an electioneering campaign, inappropriate at a time when other Northwood Civic officers and members were taking the issue seriously and on the merits.
I have pledged to Jim Howarth and Northwood Civic and Northwood residents that I will improve my communications with their organization on matters of interest to the neighborhood. And I will continue to be honest and truthful in my dealings with my constituents.
Richard T. Mariano
Councilman, 7th District
Let’s elect one of our own
The race for Council at-large is one of the most unique in the nation. Ten people run, five from each party, for seven seats. What amazes me is that no one from Northeast Philadelphia has been elected to even one of these seats in nearly 30 years, making us the most underrepresented area of the city.
Tuesday is Election Day, and we have a chance to change this. Elect Jack Kelly. Jack has also lived his whole life in Northeast Philadelphia. He has represented us before in City Council in the 7th district and has the temperament and experience to represent us well. Let’s return a fighter to City Council.
Jack finished number two in the Republican primary last May. If he does this again, Jack will win. Every other section of the city has their district Council person plus one or sometimes two at-large members. Northeast Philadelphia does not. For whatever reason, some politicians want to keep Northeast power to a minimum, and they have been successful for 30 years. We have a chance to end this. The Center City crowd doesn’t like that and decided to smear Jack’s name.
As president of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce for 11 years, I know what power will come with an additional councilperson from Northeast Philadelphia, and it will benefit us all.
Northeast Philadelphia represents over 30 percent of the population and 35 percent of the tax revenue, and we have no voice in the at-large delegation. End the drought of power. Vote Jack Kelly, Lever #225.
Al Taubenberger
Fox Chase