Knox serves up pasta
with his politics

Campaign Bits
By Tom Waring

Irv Glassman, of Castor Gardens, likes the background of mayoral candidate Tom Knox.
Glassman was among about 200 people who attended a free community dinner party last week at the Knights of Columbus Holmesburg Council hall, at 3300 Knorr St.
Knox, who is running in the May 15 Democratic primary for mayor, is a successful businessman who worked in the early 1990s as deputy mayor under Mayor Ed Rendell. His job, for which he was paid a dollar per year, was to find savings in a city government on the verge of financial collapse.
"I want the city to be solid," Glassman said. "I think with his background working for the present governor (Rendell), he’d be a good man to put in."
Mayfair’s Tim Kearney was also on hand. A two-time challenger to state Rep. John Perzel, Kearney is uncommitted in the race for mayor. He appreciates Knox’s interest in listening to individuals who oppose an effort by Fox Chase Cancer Center to expand into Burholme Park.
Lee Hesser, of Rhawnhurst, wore a Knox campaign button. A Republican judge of elections in the 56th Ward, he can’t participate in the Democratic primary.
"I wish I could vote for him, but I can’t change parties," he said.
Knox and his youthful campaign staff served meatballs, pasta, salad, cookies, coffee, juice and water.
The candidate greeted guests at their tables and spoke formally to the crowd, also answering questions about crime, property taxes and school safety. It was his fifth community dinner, with plans for 10 more.
One of his priorities would be a crackdown on drug activity.
"If you call me and tell me there’s a drug house in your neighborhood, I’m going to send in the police," he said. "If you call me a week later and tell me they’re back, I’m going to tear it down."
To help deter drug use and crime, he would increase funding for Community College of Philadelphia. He believes a trained and educated work force would convince businesses to move to Philadelphia.

• • •

Another Democratic candidate for mayor, U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, officially opened his Northeast campaign office last week at 2824 Cottman Ave.
The site had been the local headquarters for former City Controller Jonathan Saidel, who abruptly dropped out of the race days after opening the office in late November.
Brady was joined by City Councilwoman Joan Krajewski, City Controller Alan Butkovitz, ward leaders, union leaders and the Greater Kensington String Band.
The candidate’s Northeast coordinator is Mike Driscoll, an East Torresdale resident and 65th Ward Democratic committeeman who co-owns Finnigan’s Wake and ran in the 2003 primary for Council at-large.
Driscoll said, if Brady wins the primary, he will do so with a great deal of support in the Northeast. In office, he would likely pay attention to the needs of the Northeast, in Driscoll’s opinion.
"I think he’s a great choice for the Northeast," he said.

• • •

U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, who is also running for mayor in the Democratic primary, wants to increase funding to Community College of Philadelphia. He cites the fact that only 20 percent of Philadelphians have college degrees.
Fattah believes that education is the best way to get Philadelphians into well-paying jobs. He favors a tax credit for businesses that create at least five jobs.
"Lack of opportunity is driving the crime in our city," he said.

• • •

While Brady won the backing of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, state Rep. Dwight Evans received the endorsement of three black law enforcement groups.
The Guardian Civic League, Cops and Citizens for Justice and Sentinels of Law Enforcement announced they were supporting Evans for mayor.
Evans also has the backing of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, Transport Workers Union Local 234, Laborers Local 332 and the Black Clergy of Philadelphia.

• • •

The movie The Shame of a City will be released on DVD on April 10.
The 91-minute documentary chronicles the divisive campaign tactics used by some prominent supporters of Mayor John Street during his successful 2003 re-election campaign against Republican Sam Katz.
Street and Katz were in a competitive race when a listening device was found in Street’s City Hall office four weeks before the election.
The FBI acknowledged placing the device, and media reports indicated that the federal authorities were investigating corruption involving city contracts.
Various Street supporters blamed the national Republican Party for starting the investigation and others, including Fattah, suggested that the government had a history of targeting black elected officials. Brady contended the U.S. Department of Justice was trying to influence the election.
In addition to the documentary, the DVD contains commentary by Katz and director Tigre Hill, an interview with an FBI agent involved with the investigation, surveillance tapes and a music video by Lauren Hart.

• • •

District Attorney Lynne Abraham has endorsed Councilman Frank DiCicco (D-1st dist.), who faces a primary challenge from Vern Anastasio.
DiCicco, whose district includes portions of Wissinoming and Frankford, has voted to fund the addition of 100 more police officers, supports an initiative to add a 311 call-in number for non-violent crimes, wants to establish nuisance task forces and fought the Street administration to keep fire companies open. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com