great guy
Emeritus: adjective; retired from active duty.
So says the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
A more practical entry might be this:
Emeritus: noun; a washed-up, power-starved politician whose ego is surpassed only by his arrogance. See also, Perzel, John.
Yes, people, the pride of Northeast Philadelphia, the often audacious John Perzel, recently deposed speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, has used his considerable charm, prestige and powers of persuasion to make a deal with his Harrisburg cronies that reinstates the title speaker before his first name.
How pathetic it must be to be dumped as speaker in favor of a less-Republican Republican and have to go back to being a mere state representative. And how pathetic that Mr. Perzel’s colleagues created a fake title, speaker emeritus, complete with an office and a staff, to boost his spirits.
No doubt, former Speaker Perzel has done some wonderful things for his legislative district, but that’s his job — bring the bacon to his constituents. What about the emeritus title for other former speakers — the infamous Herb Fineman, Bob O’Donnell, or Bill "Illegal Pay Raise" DeWeese? What about past House and Senate minority leaders/majority leaders? What about retired or defeated representatives/senators — some of whom remain in Harrisburg as lobbyists? Are all of these people less worthy of the emeritus title? Why the special treatment for Mr. Perzel? Don’t let him get away with it.
Ladies and gentlemen of Pennsylvania, these are questions you might want to ask of Mr. Perzel and Speaker Dennis O’Brien. Call their district offices and speak up: Mr. Perzel, 215-331-2600; Mr. O’Brien, 215-632-5150.
Next, call the state treasurer’s office, 1-717-787-2465. Tell them to withhold all state paychecks for anything even remotely associated with the speaker emeritus scam. ••
Respond to this editorial . . .
Letters to the Editor . . .