Kearney, Costello united
in opposition to Perzel

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Tim Kearney and Rich Costello have sharp differences on some issues, but they do share one view: state Rep. John Perzel must go.
Kearney and Costello are running in the April 22 Democratic primary. The winner will face Perzel (R-172nd dist.) in the general election.
Kearney, 56, of Mayfair, unsuccessfully challenged Perzel in 2004 and ’06. He faults Perzel, a 30-year veteran of the legislature, for backing slot machine parlors and taxpayer-funded stadiums for the Eagles and Phillies. He criticizes the incumbent for not working to reduce cable television and car insurance rates, for failing to deliver sufficient funding for the School District of Philadelphia and for not enacting a bill that would require retail stores to put the price of an item on the product. He claims scanners "rip off" customers.
"Where’s the representation from John Perzel and the Republicans?" Kearney asked during a joint interview with Costello on Friday with the Times editorial board. "I think he represents Wall Street and doesn’t represent Cottman Avenue."
Costello, a Holmesburg resident who turned 57 on Sunday, is a former president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, serving from 1988-90 and 1994 to 2002. He retired in January as a captain in the Philadelphia Police Department, finishing a 34-year career, to make his first run for office.
In Costello’s opinion, Perzel has done "not much of anything" since being knocked out as speaker of the House of Representatives in January 2007. His focus, according to Costello, is on returning to the speaker’s role.
In Costello’s view, three decades in office is enough for Perzel.
"He’s been in office longer than four of my six kids have been alive, and they’re in their twenties," said Costello, who joined Kearney in pledging to serve no more than eight years in office.
Kearney formerly worked for the Action Alliance of Senior Citizens and was an aide to former City Councilmen Alvin Stewart, Angel Ortiz and David Cohen. He acknowledges moving from Germantown to the 172nd Legislative District with the specific intent of challenging Perzel.
In general, he believes Perzel’s policies are not good for working people. In promoting greater funding for public schools, he blasts the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) — which gives tax credits to businesses that donate money to a scholarship program from private school students — as an "unconstitutional tax dodge."
Kearney is also an opponent of what he calls "corporate welfare," citing as an example the taxpayer money that went to Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie to build Lincoln Financial Field.
"The NFL has more money than God," he said.
Costello, who has the backing of ward leaders, FOP Lodge 5 and AFSCME District Council 47, had lived in the district until the 2002 reapportionment, when his Wissinoming street became part of Rep. John Taylor’s district. His new home is in Perzel’s district.
Like Kearney, Costello opposes tax money for sports stadiums. He points out that the Eagles play only eight regular season home games a year.
If Costello wins the primary, he will undoubtedly be reminded of past quotes about Perzel. In a 2002 Times story about his leaving his post as FOP president, he indicated he would not run against Perzel.
In a 2002 Times ad for Perzel’s re-election, he is pictured with the lawmaker, who is holding an award. Costello is quoted as saying, "John Perzel is a friend of every police officer who puts his or her life on the line every day to protect the people of this city."
Times have changed.
"The John Perzel I’m running against is not the John Perzel I’m shaking hands with back then," Costello said.
Kearney criticizes Costello’s years heading the FOP. He said the overwhelming percentage of people at meetings are white, adding that’s one reason the Guardian Civic League attracts most black police officers.
"It’s not a warm, cohesive union," he said of the FOP.
Costello said union meetings are open to all members, adding that the Guardian Civic League is not a rival of the FOP. He pointed out that there are organizations, for example, for police officers who are Irish, Jewish and Italian.
Some day soon, Costello predicts, there will be a black FOP Lodge 5 president.
"Mr. Kearney’s statements about the FOP are incredibly outrageous," Costello said.
The candidates also clashed over the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, convicted and sentenced to die in 1982 for the murder of police officer Daniel Faulkner.
Kearney opposes the death penalty and believes Common Pleas Court Judge Albert Sabo, who presided over Abu-Jamal’s trial, should have stepped aside because he was once a member of the FOP.
Costello said Abu-Jamal’s death sentence should be carried out.
"Your day in court should not last twenty-six years," he said.
Costello ripped Kearney for saying he did not know who killed Faulkner.
"I do. He was murdered by Wesley Cook," said Costello, using Abu-Jamal’s given name.
Kearney replied, "You weren’t there any more than I was, Mr. Costello."
Besides the death penalty, the Democrats disagree on other hot-button issues.
Kearney is pro-choice on abortion and favors the legalization of marijuana and gay marriage. Costello is pro-life and opposes legalizing marijuana and gay marriage.
"The term ‘marriage’ involves a man and a woman," he said.
Neither candidate has made an endorsement in the Democratic race for president between Sens. Barack Obama of Illinois and Hillary Clinton of New York. Kearney had supported Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio before he dropped out.
Kearney and Costello are strong proponents of a statewide smoking ban in public places. Kearney pledged to introduce a smoking ban, with no loopholes, within three months of taking office.
Kearney is a leading opponent of Fox Chase Cancer Center’s proposed expansion into Burholme Park, arguing that there is plenty of vacant commercial and industrial land in the city. Costello has not decided yet whether he backs the cancer center plan.
Both Democrats criticize Perzel for focusing on two issues that he should have addressed when he was speaker. Those issues are the hiring of 10,000 police officers across the state and the elimination of property taxes for senior citizens making under $40,000 a year.
Kearney said Perzel is pushing the property tax idea because it plays well in the news media.
"I think he’s grandstanding for the senior citizen vote," he said.
Costello said the city’s police force was shrinking while Perzel was speaker.
"He did absolutely nothing about it," he said.
Perzel has used Kearney’s affiliation with the local Communist Party in campaign mailings against him.
Kearney fights back, saying the local Communists favor guaranteed health care, livable wages, pensions and public education and oppose gambling and sports stadium subsidies. They don’t hate the United States, according to Kearney.
"They love America," he said.
Kearney said a Democrat can beat Perzel if the ward leaders give their full support. In his two races, he hasn’t attracted unanimous party backing.
While Costello has the endorsement of the ward leaders, he senses that some Democrats remain loyal to Perzel.
"Welcome to the arena," Kearney said. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com