HomeNewsFOP endorses Al Taubenberger for City Council

FOP endorses Al Taubenberger for City Council

The race for City Council at-large seats is competitive for both major parties.

The contest features 16 Democrats and seven Republicans.

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In the May 19 primary, voters will nominate five candidates. The top seven finishers in the general election are elected.

On the Republican side, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 recently endorsed Al Taubenberger, outgoing president of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

John McNesby, president of FOP Lodge 5, said, “The FOP endorsed Al Taubenberger because he has always supported the Philadelphia Police Department. As the father of a Pennsylvania state trooper, Al realizes the sacrifices that law enforcement officers make. We feel that Al will be our voice in City Council.”

Taubenberger said, “The members of the Philadelphia Police Department, both past and present, are true heroes in every sense of the word. They prove it each and every day when they place their lives in jeopardy to protect and serve the citizens of Philadelphia.”

Another Republican, Terry Tracy, also has FOP backing. More recently, he picked up the support of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, the Pentecostal Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, Transport Workers Union Local 234 and AFSCME District Council 47.

The ACACLA political action committee hosted a reception on Saturday for James Williams, another Republican candidate. The PAC is a nonpartisan group that consists of leaders from Haiti, Jamaica, Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, Kenya and Guinea. As part of his campaign, Williams has been focusing on education reform, revitalizing Philadelphia’s manufacturing sector and increasing the police presence in some of Philadelphia’s worst neighborhoods.

On the Democratic side, Helen Gym, an education advocate, said she is disappointed that Commonwealth Court dismissed a lawsuit brought by parents claiming that the state is not living up to its constitutional obligation to adequately fund schools.

“This funding suit needs to be heard in court because the state legislature has violated the state Constitution in failing to properly fund our schools. Parents and students are the ones who are most hurt by the failures of the state legislature. As a mother of three children in Philadelphia’s public schools and someone who organizes in parent communities, I’ve documented countless instances of serious harm to young people,” she said.

Meanwhile, Gym is denouncing independent expenditures spent on behalf of mayoral candidate Anthony Williams.

Gym, a former teacher, has recently been endorsed by progressive groups Philly for Change, Liberty City Democrats and Clean Water Action.

Another Democrat, Sherrie Cohen, was endorsed last week by state Reps. Brian Sims and Curtis Thomas.

Sims highlighted her work to keep libraries open and a need for more women on City Council.

Thomas said Cohen gets results, like her parents, the late Florence and Councilman David Cohen.

“An advocate for city services, Sherrie fought the administration to keep open 11 libraries and reopen 29 pools around the city,” Thomas said. “Sherrie understands that to address poverty and violence in our neighborhoods, we must create good jobs, educate our children and increase affordable housing.”

••

City Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez (D-7th dist.) was endorsed by City Controller Alan Butkovitz, state Rep. Jason Dawkins and ward leaders Danny Savage and Elaine Tomlin.

Sanchez faces Manny Morales in the primary.

“As a former 7th District councilman, I know how challenging it is to be a councilperson in the 7th District,” Savage said. “Councilwoman Sanchez is clearly the better person for the job in this election, and I am happy to fight hard with her on behalf of our constituents.”

Butkovitz cited her work to improve conditions at Max Myers Playground.

••

The local National Organization for Women and several other groups backing Jim Kenney in the Democratic primary for mayor are criticizing the Philadelphia Inquirer endorsement of Anthony Williams.

The editorial explained that it is supporting Williams, “Because the unions backing Kenney already wield too much influence.”

NewsWorks reported that the editorial board voted to endorse Kenney, but that editor Bill Marimow made the call to go with Williams. Kenney supporters suspect that owner Gerry Lenfest ordered the Williams endorsement. Last year, Lenfest ordered the boards at the Inquirer and Daily News to not endorse a candidate for governor. Lenfest was a supporter of Gov. Tom Corbett.

“It is extremely disappointing that the Inquirer has chosen to endorse a candidate for mayor to whom its owner has contributed a significant amount of money,” said Mason Lane, co-chair of Liberty City Democratic Club’s communications committee.

Action United and Neighborhood Networks urged the Inquirer to reverse its decision and endorse Kenney.

••

Meanwhile, Kenney has been endorsed by the student group Penn Democrats, which cited his support for gay rights and marijuana decriminalization, his opposition to the policy of detaining illegal immigrants for up to 48 hours for transfer to federal custody and his pledge to end “stop-and-frisk” policing.

The Faculty and Staff Federation of Community College of Philadelphia is also backing Kenney.

“Jim is up against some very big private money that is supporting the dismantling of our public schools, and we are very enthusiastic about countering that money with our energy, as part of a big pro-worker, pro-student coalition,” said FSFCCP co-president Steve Jones.

As mayor, Kenney will look to expand CCP’s dual enrollment program, where current high school students can take additional classes for degree credit. He will also work with the School District of Philadelphia to expand career and technical education options so that more students have access to real-world training.

••

State Rep. John Sabatina Jr., the Democratic nominee in the 5th Senatorial District special election, last week debuted a television commercial.

In the spot, Sabatina talks to voters in the Dining Car.

An announcer speaks of his support for an increase in the minimum wage to more than $10 an hour, more funding for public schools and more affordable college tuition. The announcer also mentions that Sabatina authored a law that toughens penalties for crimes against senior citizens.

Sabatina faces Republican Tim Dailey, a teacher at Father Judge High School, in the May 19 election.

••

The Philadelphia Republican City Committee is recommending “no” votes for each of the four ballot questions.

One of the questions, which is nonbinding, calls for disbanding the School Reform Commission.

Another proposes the creation of a Commission for Women.

“I’m actually insulted that they think they need to form a commission to know about issues for women,” said ward leader Barbara Coxe.

Another question would expand the mandate of increased language services for government offices.

“In Harrisburg, legislation like this typically comes along with a fiscal note that details the added cost of the program to the budget,” said state Rep. John Taylor. “They are asking us to approve a program that could be very expensive without providing voters with any information on the costs.”

Another question calls for the creation of a commission for funding universal pre-kindergarten. The GOP believes it is irresponsible to look into new services until K-12 schools are adequately funded and deliver quality education.

••

The Pennsylvania State Troopers Association has endorsed Republicans Mike George and Judy Olson for Supreme Court and Emil Giordano for Superior Court.

George is president judge of the Adams County Court of Common Pleas.

Olson, a married mother of two, serves as a judge on Superior Court. She was elected in 2009. She’s been rated “Highly Recommended” by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

In all, six Republicans and six Democrats are running in the May 19 primary for Supreme Court. The top three finishers qualify for the general election ballot. Voters will choose three justices in November.

Giordano has been a judge on the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas since 2003. He is unopposed in the primary and will face the winner of the Democratic primary between Alice Beck Dubow and Robert Colville. He has been “recommended” by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Prior to being elected, Giordano served as an assistant district attorney, assistant public defender, civil litigator and as lead counsel in his private law practice. He resides in Bethlehem with his wife, Tina, and his two sons, Joseph and Caden.

••

The Associated Builders and Contractors Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter has endorsed Republican Emil Giordano for Superior Court.

“Giordano has demonstrated his strong commitment to community and free enterprise values. It is evident that he understands the construction industry and the merit philosophy that ABC represents,” said Mary Tebeau, president and CEO of the ABC Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter.

Since 2003, Giordano has been a judge on the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas. He is unopposed in the May 19 primary and will face the winner of the Democratic primary between Alice Beck Dubow and Robert Colville. He has been “recommended” by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Prior to being elected, Giordano served as an assistant district attorney, assistant public defender, civil litigator and as lead counsel in his private law practice. He resides in Bethlehem with his wife, Tina, and his two sons, Joseph and Caden.

ABC Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter represents more than 14,000 construction employees who work for nearly 450 member companies. ABC was founded on the belief that construction projects should be awarded on merit to the most qualified and lowest responsible bidder.

••

Former congressman Joe Sestak, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, criticized Republican Sen. Pat Toomey for voting against Loretta Lynch’s nomination to be attorney general.

Sestak said the vote shows that Toomey is a partisan obstructionist.

Lynch was confirmed by a vote of 56–43, with 10 Republicans voting for her. Opponents cited her support for President Barack Obama’s actions favoring illegal immigrants.

Toomey said after the vote, “Given Ms. Lynch’s experience and commitment to public service, I wish that I could support her nomination. However, as I announced publicly after meeting with her in late February, I cannot support her and I did not vote for her confirmation today. During our meeting, Ms. Lynch refused to answer fundamental questions about the U.S. Constitution and how it limits the president’s authority.”

Toomey pointed to Lynch’s refusal to review the Obama administration’s November 2014 order unilaterally granting legal status and work permits to more than 4 million illegal immigrants, as requested by Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“Ms. Lynch told me she had not conducted an independent legal analysis of her own. Instead, Ms. Lynch relied on the opinions of administration lawyers to conclude the president has the legal and Constitutional authority to rewrite immigration law,” Toomey said.

“This president has repeatedly exceeded his legal authority. He has unilaterally rewritten Obamacare, made executive appointments the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional, and rewritten immigration law despite having said 22 times that he lacked the authority to do so.”

Toomey said he does not believe that Lynch can carry out the duty of the attorney general to uphold the Constitution.

“The attorney general does not represent the president; she represents the American people,” he said. “The attorney general has the duty to act as an independent legal check on executive overreach. It is clear to me that Ms. Lynch is unwilling to play that role.” ••

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