Veteran talks about
his raw deal at City Hall

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Bob Politz served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and later attended college on the G.I. Bill.
Politz, a 60-year-old who lives on Gilham Street in Lawndale, subsequently earned a master’s degree in counseling, worked in the mental health field for 10 years and served for two years in the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.
For 20 years, he was adjutant of the Rising Sun VFW Post 2819. He assisted in fund-raising for the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial and helped establish student-veterans organizations at colleges.
So, when the city began advertising for the position of director of the Veterans Advisory Commission, Politz was eager to apply.
"I saw it as a good fit," he said. "I have a passion for involvement in the veterans agenda."
The seven members of the Veterans Advisory Commission who participated in the applicant interview process were impressed with Politz. The group, made up of men from various veterans’ organizations, unanimously recommended that he get the job at an annual salary of $50,000.
Ed Lowry, the commission chairman and CEO of the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center, wrote a letter to City Council President Anna Verna — who supervises the director’s position — explaining the interview process and outcome.
"It was unanimously agreed that Mr. Politz was well skilled and met all of the criteria necessary to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position," the letter read, in part.
Verna, though, rejected the commission’s recommendation. Instead, she offered the job to Edgar Howard, Democratic leader of the powerful 10th Ward in Northwest Philadelphia.
Howard had been a city elections commissioner but lost in last May’s Democratic primary and left office in early January. He has no college degree or experience in veterans’ affairs, both prerequisites for the top job.
The advisory commission recommended that Howard be hired as the assistant director at a salary of $40,000, a steep cut from the $102,000 he was making as a city commissioner.
In the end, Verna eliminated the assistant’s job and hired Howard for $80,000 a year.
Politz described the decision as "outrageous."
"I was the unanimous choice for the director’s position, but I’m not part of the inner circle," he said. "It’s a blatant disregard for the veterans community. The same old tricks and games are being played."
The Committee of Seventy agreed. Zack Stalberg, president and CEO of the non-partisan organization that promotes government efficiency and demands ethical conduct of public officials, wrote a letter to the editor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, asking Verna to withdraw the appointment.
Stalberg said Verna should be setting a high ethical tone for the new Council.
"The Howard appointment is a bad start," he wrote.
Tony Radwanski, an East Torresdale resident who serves as spokesman for Verna, noted that the commission believed Howard was qualified by offering him the assistant director’s post.
Verna, Radwanski pointed out, has the discretion to make the final decision.
"She chose one of the two qualified candidates," he said.
Verna has been pained by any suggestions that she did a disservice to veterans, her spokesman said.
Radwanski said the job includes lobbying the city, state and federal governments for benefits. It is not a counseling service, which would fit Politz better.
Howard, in Radwanski’s view, will do a good job.
"The guy’s an expert in how government works," he said.
The director works out of City Hall and serves as the lead liaison for the veterans’ community, coordinating programs and services for veterans and their families and identifying agencies that provide benefits and entitlements.
The office opened more than 60 years ago. Its last director, Tom Finnerty, was highly regarded by veterans. He retired in 2006 at a salary of $58,000.
Since then, office employee Joyce McKeown has run the operation. The commission cited her "exemplary service" for 22 months and suggested she receive a bonus of $5,000. Radwanski indicated that McKeown might receive compensation, but he wouldn’t put a figure on it.
Meanwhile, Politz has moved on from the snub. He continues to work in the counseling field.
Still, he wrote to Mayor Michael Nutter to express his disappointment in the process.
The letter read, in part, "At a time when our citizens sacrifice daily in Afghanistan and Iraq to protect our freedoms here at home, our commitment to providing the highest quality in service and programs upon their return must not be compromised by political self-interest."
Doug Oliver, spokesman for the mayor, said Nutter believes the decision belongs solely to Verna since she oversees the job.
"The mayor trusts her judgment," he said.
Politz sent copies of the letter to every member of Council but got no response.
"The good government advocated by Nutter just isn’t there," he said.
The local American Legion remains angry. Roney J. Steele, the commander, wrote a letter to fellow veterans saying the Legion was "appalled" by Verna’s choice.
The organization has drafted a resolution that declares Council established the commission "as window dressing and does not consider the interests of veterans to be of any concern or interest to them."
Bob Dott is among those circulating a petition to be delivered to Council. He’ll send blank petitions to be signed to anyone who calls him at 215-288-4648.
Dott, a member of Lawndale based VFW Post 2819, said the choice of Howard is troubling but not surprising.
"It’s business as usual," he said.
Jim Ward, a retired Philadelphia police officer and three-time past commander of Post 2819, believes hiking Howard’s salary by combining the director and assistant’s jobs "borders on the criminal."
Ward believes Politz was a superior candidate.
"Bobby’s credentials are impeccable," he said.
Politz said he hopes Philadelphia’s veterans office does a good job, since there is a great need. He will do his part, only not in an official capacity for the city.
"I am an advocate for veterans and will continue to be an advocate for veterans," he said. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com