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City Council
On Wednesday's debate between 8th Council District candidates, there were a few notable disagreements — over term limits, how to deal with the Martin Luther King Jr. High School scandal, and which Councilperson to support for president.
But more frequent, it seemed, was consensus among candidates. Most advocated for more transparency in the position, involving the community in development decisions, using education to wrestle with gun problems, and fighting for the city to take back control of the Philadelphia School District.
So how are candidates separating themselves from the crowd?
Some, it seems, are using personality to do that trick — which is something often better conveyed in video than in words. See above for a short clip of the debate, organized by NewsWorks and the Committee of Seventy, in which candidates respond to moderator Chris Satullo's call to prove that they won't be beholden to the political machine or big donors. (Satullo, WHYY's executive director of news and civic dialogue, pulled his questions from a series of forums that NewsWorks held with local voters throughout the past several weeks.)
The first candidate to respond is Robin Tasco, then Howard Treatman, Verna Tyner, Cindy Bass, William Durham, Andrew Lofton and Greg Paulmier.
Throughout the debate, Tasco, as one person closely watching the race put it, came off as the person you'd want in a fight — she's visibly pissed about Bass' campaign allegedly threatening her. Bass is cool and confident — perhaps because of all the endorsements she's racked up. Paulmier is talkative, happy, a grassroots developer. Durham is the no-nosense State Democratic Committee representative. Treatman is the cerebral developer. Lofton is the passionate underdog. And Tyner is part calm and collected, part fighter (when speaking out against DROP, she stood up to boldly make her point and called on the crowd to voice their opinion about the program).
Read more about Wednesday's debate — and all the subtle jabs made at Bass by her opponents — here.
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Last night's 8th Council District debate could have been fiery — given candidate Robin Tasco's allegation that she was threatened by opponent Cindy Bass' campaign, candidate Verna Tyner's unabashed criticism of Bass for not saying whether or not she'd vote for Councilwoman Marian Tasco for president, and plenty of other juicy issues that've been brewing.
Overall, though, there was very little mud-slinging.
The debate between the seven candidates for the 8th District — which stretches from Nicetown up to Chestnut Hill — centered around DROP, the Martin Luther King Jr. High School scandal, economic development, and current 8th District Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller. All seven candidates — Robin Tasco, Bass, Tyner, Greg Paulmier, Howard Treatman, Andrew Lofton and William Durham — attended the debate.
But there were some subtle jabs at each other. For instance, Treatman said he wouldn't hire anyone with a "history of political corruption." (Bass' campaign has been critized for employing Steven Vaughn, a former Miller aide who pleaded guilty in a pay-to-play scandal.)
Tyner, meanwhile, strongly voiced her opposition to voting for a Council president who's enrolled in DROP (aka Marian Tasco). All the candidates were in agreement over this, except for Bass. Bass has maintained that it's too soon to make her decision about a Council president.
Tyner seemed to use this to her advantage, standing up to make her point and even calling on the crowd to voice their opinion about DROP.
Also, when Bass called for an investigation of the Martin Luther King Jr. High School scandal to "see what the facts are," rather than jumping to conclusions, Durham seized the topic. He said there are many facts already known: The community wanted one thing, he says, and public officials decided "it does not deserve that."
In fact, most of the subtle disses seemed to be directed toward Bass, who has earned the endorsement of Mayor Michael Nutter, District Attorney Seth Williams and other public officials, and is seen as a front-runner.
There were a few other surprises throughout the night: Tyner, a staff member for City Council for 16 years, said she supported term limits. Some people closely watching the race saw this as an affront to the late at-large Councilman David Cohen, who served for decades, and for whom Tyner worked.
Treatman, Lofton and Tasco also favored term limits, while Bass, Paulmier and Durham didn't.
Another interesting turn: Moderator Chris Satullo, WHYY's executive director of news and civic dialogue, asked candidates how they would foster transparency in their office — something that Miller has been criticized as lacking.
Most agreed that an office in the district was needed, as well as regular meetings or newsletters for the community.
Check back later today for videos of the event, which capture candidates responding to Satullo's tough call to prove that they won't be beholden to the political machine or big donors, among other things.
Oh, and did we mention that last night's debate at Germantown's First Presbyterian Church was packed to the gills? Yet another reason y'all should get interested in the election, if you're not already: Everyone else is doing it! Peer pressure!
UPDATE: Two things worth noting that weren't noted before: The debate was organized by NewsWorks. Also, moderator Satullo's questions came from a series of forums that NewsWorks held with local voters throughout the past several weeks.
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We've went mad for live-tweeting! Starting around 7 p.m., Election Ear's @hollyotterbein will be live-tweeting the sure-to-be-lively 8th Council District debate. You can also follow along by looking for #phillyelection on Twitter.
Not convinced the debate will be fascinating? Check out our past coverage on the race for the 8th Council District seat below. The juicy headlines alone should peak your interest.
Miller says police kicked 8th District candidate out of City Hall
Paulmier responds more to Miller's allegation that police kicked him out of City Hall
Bass' campaign employs another person close to past corruption scandal
Nutter to get behind Bass in 8th District Council race
Even in races without DROP candidate, DROP is hot issue
Which candidates are against the new campaign finance bill?
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Today, Republican at-large candidate Malcolm Lazin is protesting outside of the School District's headquarters — marking his third protest in two months. He's calling for Superintendent Arlene Ackerman to resign.
For those following the race, you know this isn't the first time Lazin has staged a protest. In March, he protested outside of Councilman Frank Rizzo's office to rally for him to release his DROP application. This month, Lazin protested outside of Rizzo's office again, this time to call on District Attorney Seth Williams to investigate Rizzo's DROP application.
DROP and Ackerman have been widely critized during this election season — by both Republicans and Democrats, City Commissioner and at-large candidates, and hopefuls in the 1st, 2nd and 8th Council Districts, and elsewhere. So what makes Lazin different?
Not too much, really. But by making a very visible statement about these issues, Lazin has positioned himself as the most extreme at-large candidate against DROP and Ackerman — even if his views aren't all that extreme by themselves. Interestingly, this tactic has been used elsewhere — in a recent forum featuring 1st Council District candidates, Vern Anastasio said he was the only candidate to organize against SugarHouse as an activist — and the only one truly against DROP (except for police and firefighters).
His opponents, however, disagreed.
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The 7th City Council District isn't just gerrymandered (intentionally carved into an odd shape to include or exclude certain voters) — it's super-gerrymandered.
Encompassing parts of Kensington and Eastern North Philly, then mysteriously narrowing to the width of (literally) as little as a couple of blocks in some places, it eventually winds its way up to parts of to the diverse neighborhood of Frankford. It's worth nothing that the 7th and other abutting districts have been carved up in such a way as to prevent the city's large and growing Hispanic community in North Philly from voting as a bloc.
The district is extremely diverse — not just racially (though it is racially diverse, encompassing white, black, and Hispanic neighborhoods), but also economically.
It is a very difficult district to represent — and, last night, it showed. Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez is fighting for her political life against challenger Dan Savage, a Frankford ward leader who briefly inherited the seat after former Councilman Rick Mariano went to prison on bribery charges. Savage ran to take the seat, but was defeated by Quinones-Sanchez, who is now the only Hispanic representative on Council.
The contest is white hot and bitter. In a church on Tioga Avenue & B Street last night, supporters loudly applauded their candidate and (especially on the part of Savage supporters) jeered at the opponent.
While the event was framed as a debate, this race (as is true of most, if not all, of the races in the upcoming primary) is less a contest between different plans and policy positions than between greater, deeper forces. This is a battle of neighborhoods, demographics, and politics.
Neighborhoods and demographics: Savage can win only with a strong vote from Frankford, — especially white voters who live there, (although last night saw a smaller contingent of black residents supporting him.) Some of the Frankford residents who showed up to support Savage last night said that Sanchez has neglected their neighborhood — "None of the people I spoke to even know her," said Tony Peron, a committeeman volunteering for Savage's campaign.
Quinones-Sanchez, on the other hand, can win only with a strong showing from the district's large Hispanic population, especially in Kensington and the Centro de Oro section of North Philly. Most of her vocal supporters last night were Hispanic, and applauded her with visible passion.
Vivian Ortiz, a Quinones-Sanchez supporter whose father lives in the Norris Square neighborhood said that she saw Sanchez doing a lot for that neighborhood and didn't appreciate Savage's many attacks on Sanchez. "I am not a person for negativism," she told CP. " [Savage] persuaded me that I will not support him."
Politics: Politically, the fix is in. Quinones-Sanchez is not being supported by ward leaders (very unusual for an incumbent) or by other power brokers, like State Rep. Angel Cruz. Philadelphia is a city dominated by machine politics, and the machistrene has decided not to support Quinones-Sanchez. Why is unclear.
The issues: As in any district, but especially in this one, crime ad drugs are a major issue. Savage attacked Sanchez last night on the issue, saying the latter hadn't done enough to improve crime. "The 7th District is number one in narcotics ... there has been no reduction, it's still number one."
Sanchez touted her work with police on various community policing initiatives, including a pilot program called Philly Rising and an increased police presence York St.: "We reduced crime in that area and didn't have a shooting in almost 18 months," she said to applause.
Savage also blamed the continued high crime in the district on Sanchez' relationship with Mayor Nutter, saying that things were better under former mayor John Street — a line that won him some applause, especially among black audience members. [Watch the video here]
Savage also attacked Sanchez on her (and Councilman Bill Green's) efforts to change the Business Privilege tax. Sanchez' bill would have shifted the tax burden from income to "gross receipts," or sales, exempting the first $100,000 of business — a tax which would have increased the tax burden on large, out-of-state corporations which do not pay income tax, and helped small businesses — all points which Savage disputed, calling her bill a "job killer."
View galleryLarry Mendte moderating, Republicans admitting they voted for Obama and support collective bargaining, a controversial mayoral candidate not showing up, Councilman Frank Rizzo leaving (very) early — last night's GOP candidates debate was a ball!
Seriously, folks — I'm looking at you, gentle, but skeptical Dems — it was fascinating.
Let's break down the event's highlights, shall we?
Controversial No-Shows: The biggest news of the night were the two "no-shows": Rizzo briefly introduced himself and then left, citing other obligations. He's been in the hot seat recently for being enrolled in DROP — and his own party has failed to endorse him. But who really came under fire for skipping the debate? The controversial Karen Brown, a mayoral candidate who's caught flack from some Republicans because she was a longtime Democrat (and ran for office as a Dem this year), then switched parties, and yet won the support of the Republican City Committee.
Host Kevin Kelly was none too pleased about Brown not showing up. He said she "has no business running for mayor." Lots of people called her a "coward" throughout the night. Rizzo, meanwhile, was frequently the butt of jokes: When it came time for the candidates to ask each other questions, At-large hopeful Steve Odabashian quipped, "I had a question prepared for Councilman Rizzo!" The crowd then burst into laughter. Mendte, the fiesty moderator, said his first question to Rizzo was going to be about the meaning of the word "irrevocable." And At-large candidate Malcolm Lazin boasted about protesting outside Rizzo's office.
Republicans for Obama?: At-large candidates David Oh and Odabashian said they voted for Barack Obama. Michael Untermeyer said he wasn't comfortable saying who he voted for in the presidential election.
Republicans for collective bargaining?: A few At-large candidates said they supported collective bargaining. But for some reason, Oh seemed to get the most heat for it. Mendte, referring the campaign donations Oh has received from unions, asked him, "Which came first — the chicken or the egg?" Kelly, meanwhile, said the problem was that politicians take campaign money from unions and then sit down to negotiate with them on behalf of voters. "If you don't understand that," said Kelly, "that's a real problem!"
Republican candidate admits he's got no chance: GOP mayoral candidate John Featherman conceded that he can't win, save for "an act of God." That didn't go over well.
Dissing on Ramsey: The At-large candidates were split on whether it's a good thing that Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey is staying in the city. Only one candidate there — Denny O'Brien — said he supported Ramsey's $60,000 raise.
The Pledge of Allegiance, Arlene Ackerman and other interesting tidbits: At the start of the debate, the audience rose to pledge allegiance. ... Superintendent Arlene Ackerman was a hot topic, and there was lots of support for booting her. ... O'Brien positioned himself as an education candidate throughout the night, even voicing concern over Gov. Tom Corbett's education cuts. ... Featherman said he'd cut the ethics department to save money, noting that it is "not enforcing much of anything." He also called L&I "corrupt." ... An audience member criticized At-large candidates Elmer Money and Untermeyer for saying they'd back Bill Green for Council president. ... Odabashian, perhaps recalling the words of Christine O'Donnell, said he was running because he's "one of you."
Still hungry for more? I live-tweeted the event — @hollyotterbein.
This article is part of our new, expanded coverage of this year's exciting election season. Grab this link for more "ElectionEar" pieces and look for the new column in our print edition.
Andrew Lofton (running for the 8th Council District seat), Tracey Gordon (2nd Council seat), Mike Jones (At-Large), Warren Bloom (City Commissioner) and Lewis Harris (Traffic Court) are all against the city's new campaign finance law — because of its timing, they say.
The candidates put out a press release this morning, in which they say they support the Mayor and City Council for passing the bill, which closes a loophole that allowed PACs to make several contributions to one candidate. But they argue the timing is "an example of abuse of power and conflict of interest," says the release.
They are asking Council to consider repealing the law until after November's election.
This article is part of our new, expanded coverage of this year's exciting election season. Grab this link for more "ElectionEar" pieces and look for the new column in our print edition.
Last week, City Paper attended (and live tweeted!) a 1st Council District forum in South Philly.
It was quite a South Philly affair: It mostly consisted of white (and all-male) South Philadelphian candidates talking to white, South Philadelphian residents. The four candidates vying for the seat now occupied by Councilman Frank DiCicco are Mark Squilla (from the Whitman neighborhood), Jeff Hornstein (Queen Village), Vern Anastasio (Bella Vista) and Joe Grace (the only odd one out, from Port Richmond).
Squilla even attended high school in the very place the forum was being held: Neumann-Goretti.
The big issues at the forum were casinos, waterfront development, trash and Superintendent Arlene Ackerman.
Hornstein called SugarHouse "awful." Grace said he was against a second casino and the expansion of SugarHouse. Anastasio claimed he was the only 1st candidate who fought as a community organizer against SugarHouse, but later, Squilla said he did too.
Trash was a topic that kept coming up throughout the debate: Squilla called dog poop that's not cleaned up a "big issue!" Anastasio argued that his civic organization funded litter cleanup, and the city should follow suit.
Several candidates also spoke out against Ackerman. Anastasio said she ought to step down, and Grace called the Philadelphia School District's leadership "authoritarian."
Unsurprisingly, some candidates tried to make DROP a big issue — even though no 1st candidate is enrolled in DROP.
Anastasio claimed to be the only first candidate completely against DROP (except for firefighters and police). However, earlier in the race — when DiCicco was still running — Grace positioned himself as the anti-DROP candidate.
At the forum, Grace acknowledged that the four candidates agreed on a number of things, and indeed, there's been speculation that they aren't dissimiliar enough. So the question is: What is this battle about, exactly? Not race. Since all the candidates are white, it's hard to say which, if any, will attract minority voters.
Is it a battle between neighborhoods? Perhaps. Squilla is president of the Whitman Council; Hornstein has a following in Queen Village and NoLibs; and Anastasio is founder and president of the Bella Vista United Civic Association. Grace, meanwhile, can lay claim to being the only candidate not from South Philly, in a district that encompasses everything from Chinatown to NoLibs to parts of Center City.
Or is it a battle that pits political insiders against newcomers? Yesterday, Mayor Michael Nutter endorsed Squilla. Grace was a city spokesman under former Mayor John Street. Anastasio, on the other hand, has painted himself as an outsider and a community organizer — on his Facebook, he's called longtime politicians "hacks of the past." And Hornstein has positioned himself as a man of the people, too: He was an organizer for the Service Employees International Union.
Later today, look out for Isaiah Thompson's report on the 2nd Council District forum, which took place a few blocks away from the 1st.
This article is part of our new, expanded coverage of this year's exciting election season. Grab this link for more "ElectionEar" pieces and look for the new column in our print edition.
Tomorrow, Mayor Michael Nutter will endorse Mark Squilla, candidate for the 1st Council District seat, according to a press release sent out by his campaign earlier today.
Squilla is running against Vern Anastasio, Joe Grace and Jeff Hornstein for the seat that is currently held by Councilman Frank DiCicco, and which covers a diverse group of neighborhoods from Fishtown to Chinatown to Pennsport.
This article is part of our new, expanded coverage of this year's exciting election season. Grab this link for more "ElectionEar" pieces and look for the new column in our print edition.
The campaign for Cindy Bass, the 8th Council District candidate, has employed a second person close to a former political corruption scandal.
In this week's column Election Ear, City Paper found that Bass' campaign employed a man named Sabir Hameen, who's lived with Theresa Pinkett, a former aide to Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller who pleaded guilty to bribery in 2008.
(Court records confirmed that the two lived together, and Bass' campaign confirmed that they had employed Hameen.)
This follows last week's news, broken by G-town Radio, that Bass' campaign had employed Steven Vaughn, also a former aide to Miller, who pleaded guilty in 2005 in a pay-to-play scandal. Bass opponent Robin Tasco, in the same show, claimed that Vaughn tried to bribe her to drop out.
Bass' spokesman, Joseph Corrigan, calls this news a "distraction," and says that candidates' platforms and campaign issues ought to get more attention.
Read more about this news in ElectionEar.
This article is part of our new, expanded coverage of this year's exciting election season. Grab this link for more "ElectionEar" pieces and look for the new column in our print edition.
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