. . . And there’s a battle
in the 10th . . .

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

There are almost twice as many Democrats as Republicans in the 10th Councilmanic District, but the GOP’s Brian O’Neill has been on the job for almost 28 years.
O’Neill, who took office in 1980, believes the district suffered in the 1960s and ’70s under his Democratic predecessors because of bad decisions on land-use issues.
As he seeks an eighth four-year term, O’Neill said voters appreciate his efforts to regulate residential and business development. He’s tried to right what he thinks were the wrongs of years ago.
"It’s been turned around in the last seven terms. People have to come first, not outside interests," he said.
On Tuesday, O’Neill faces a spirited challenge from Sean McAleer, an administrator at Franklin Towne Charter High School.
McAleer contends that O’Neill is not engaged enough, that he relies on staff members to attend important neighborhood meetings and that he misses the real feel of a community’s interest.
"His time has come," he said. "I’m a better candidate."
O’Neill, 57, and McAleer, 40, have both campaigned door-to-door and mailed campaign literature to homes.
Since edging incumbent Democrat Mel Greenberg in 1979, O’Neill has had very little trouble winning re-election. He was strongest in the 1980s, when the popularity of President Ronald Reagan and unpopularity of then-Mayor Wilson Goode led to a spike in Republican registration.
He cruised to victory in 1991 and ’95 at the same time Democrat Ed Rendell was winning the mayor’s race by big margins in the 10th district.
In the last two elections, O’Neill was helped because many voters pulled the straight Republican lever to support Sam Katz over John Street in the mayor’s race.
On Tuesday, he won’t have that luxury. Democrat Michael Nutter, expected to easily win the mayoral race, is not a divisive figure like Street.
In fact, McAleer embraces Nutter’s pro-business, anti-crime message.
"Nutter really helps me out," he said.
McAleer has the endorsement of many unions, including the building trades.
Also, gay groups are hoping for O’Neill’s defeat. He was the only member of Council to oppose a measure that would evict the Boy Scouts from their longtime home because the organization does not permit gay leaders.
The longtime lawmaker views crime as the biggest issue in the city. He offered a recent resolution that would have allowed police officers to check the immigration status of individuals arrested for felony crimes. The measure failed, with only Councilwoman Joan Krajewski and Councilmen Frank Rizzo and Jack Kelly in support.
To rid the streets of illegal guns, he enthusiastically favors an aggressive stop-and-frisk police policy and backs a bill in the state legislature that would require prisoners who have committed a violent or gun-related crime to sign a waiver upon their release agreeing to be searched by police at any time.
O’Neill, who has been endorsed by the Philadelphia Inquirer and Northeast Times, enjoys a fund-raising advantage. He contends that he has the experience and knowledge of the issues to warrant another term.
The councilman is counting on the backing of residents who think he’s played a part in the strong quality of life in the district, which includes the Far Northeast and goes as far south as Lawndale.
"Things are going pretty well. It’s a tough district, but I love it," he said.
O’Neill tells developers that he will side with residents on zoning-related matters.
"To get my support, you need their support," he said.
O’Neill followed that policy in determining how to proceed with the proposed expansion of the Fox Chase Cancer Center into Burholme Park.
The councilman sensed that members of the Fox Chase Homeowners Association and Burholme Community Town Watch and Civic Association supported the expansion.
At the same time, he listened to opponents who expressed concern about traffic. He also rejected a plan by the cancer center to buy ground in Cheltenham to make up for the lost parkland.
In the end, a traffic engineer offered ideas that O’Neill believes will relieve congestion on Cottman Avenue and surrounding streets. The hospital will also purchase parcels of city land when they become available and preserve them for green space.
O’Neill expects to introduce legislation at this week’s Council session to enable the cancer center to proceed with its plan, though a court will determine whether the Fairmount Park Commission was justified to grant the land to the hospital despite a will that preserves the ground for the city.
McAleer has said he would hold a community-wide meeting on the subject, followed by a vote. He’d support whatever neighbors decide.
As a former aide to Councilman Jim Kenney, McAleer has attended numerous neighborhood meetings. He is representing more than 100 homeowners in front of the Board of Revision of Taxes in an appeal of their property tax reassessments. He also serves as vice president of Ashton Town Watch.
"I have a very good track record in the community," he said.
On the campaign trail, McAleer faults his opponent for missing too many meetings of Council’s Public Safety Committee.
If elected, he will decline to drive the city-issued car given to Council members. He’ll use the savings in insurance and gasoline to open two district offices. Typically, Council members have an office only in City Hall.
Arguing that residents of the Northeast pay one-third of city taxes, McAleer wants to expand the services at the Northeast Municipal Service Center, better known as "mini-City Hall," to allow citizens to pay utility and other bills.
"We definitely have to do better for the Northeast," he said. ••