In other political news: State Rep. John Sabatina Jr., the Democratic nominee in the 5th Senatorial District special election on May 19, has been endorsed by numerous unions.
Nine of the 15 Democratic ward leaders in the Northeast on Sunday endorsed Jim Kenney for mayor.
The announcement was made outside a Democratic campaign office at 8568 Bustleton Ave.
Ward leaders backing Kenney are Dan Savage (23rd), Connie Dougherty (41st), Janice Sulman (53rd), Pat Parkinson (57th), Marge Tartaglione (62nd), Brian Eddis (63rd), Lorri Bednarek (64th), Bobby Henon (65th) and Shawn Dillon (66-A).
Also in attendance were state Sen. Tina Tartaglione, state Reps. Mike Driscoll and Kevin Boyle, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 President John McNesby, former Sheriff Barbara Deeley and former 63rd Ward leader Bernice Hill.
Boyle believes Kenney can stem the decline of certain neighborhoods.
“He’s going to be a mayor for our neighborhood,” he said.
Henon believes Kenney is battling Anthony Williams for the nomination. He dismisses the chances of the other four candidates.
“At the end of the day, it will come down to Tony and Jimmy,” he said.
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Anthony Williams met with reporters last week at his campaign office at 1528 Walnut St., and outlined his positions on public safety.
Williams received input from, among others, District Attorney Seth Williams and former Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson.
Among his recommendations are to stop the arrest of non-violent student offenders on school grounds.
The candidate supports increased use of technology, including body cameras on police officers and a command center to watch crime hot spots. He favors a more diverse police force, sensitivity training and community policing.
Williams has zero tolerance for hate speech by cops. He said it was “chilling” to read that FOP President John McNesby opposes firing cops for such an offense because it would deplete the ranks.
Williams would act decisively if he learns of offensive speech by cops, firing them with no chance of coming back on the force.
“There’s no arbitration,” he said.
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The Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Mayoral Breakfast Series will continue on Friday, April 24, at Wesley Enhanced Living Pennypack Park, 8401 Roosevelt Blvd.
Jim Kenney will speak at 8:30 a.m. Milton Street has been invited to speak at 9:15. Tickets cost $10.
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The progressive advocacy group Philly for Change endorsed Jim Kenney for mayor.
“Jim Kenney by far has the strongest record of fighting for social and economic justice in this field of candidates,” said Philly for Change’s Sam Durso.
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Liberty City Democratic Club, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization, has endorsed Kenney.
“Philadelphia is the most LGBT-friendly city in the nation, and that is due in large part to the hard work and leadership of Jim Kenney,” said Liberty co-chairwoman Sara Jacobson.
Liberty City also endorsed City Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez in the 7th district; incumbents Blondell Reynolds Brown and Bill Greenlee and challengers Sherrie Cohen, Helen Gym and Paul Steinke in the at-large Council primary; and Lisa Deeley and Carol Jenkins for elections commissioner.
For the judicial races, LCDC endorsed Kevin Dougherty and Anne Lazarus for Pennsylvania Supreme Court; Alice Beck Dubow for Superior Court; R. Todd Eagan for Commonwealth Court; Joffee Pittman and Dan Sulman for Municipal Court; and James Berardinelli, Abbe Fletman, Daine Grey, Anthony Kyriakakis, Chris Mallios, Brian Ortelere, Rainy Papademetriou, Kenneth Powell, Mia Roberts-Perez, Stephanie Sawyer, Kai Scott and Stella Tsai for the Court of Common Pleas.
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State Rep. John Sabatina Jr., the Democratic nominee in the 5th Senatorial District special election on May 19, has been endorsed by numerous unions.
The unions throwing their support behind Sabatina Jr. include: AFSCME District Council 47, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 22, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98, the Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters, National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 157, Plasterers Local 8, Roofers Local 30, Sheet Metal Workers Local 19, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 and various Teamsters locals.
“This is an unprecedented list of union support in such a short period of time that Rep. Sabatina has been able to gather,” said Sen. Daylin Leach, chairman of the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee.
“Sabatina understands the needs of working families and will be a strong advocate for raising the minimum wage, restoring education funding and creating good jobs,” said Gary Masino, president of the Sheet Metal Workers.
Sabatina faces Republican Tim Dailey, a history and English teacher at Father Judge High School.
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City Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez (D-7th dist.) was endorsed at a City Hall news conference by leaders and members from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, SEIU Local 32BJ, health care employees union District 1199C and Transport Workers Union Local 234.
“Councilwoman Sanchez has always fought to ensure that our students have the resources they need to succeed,” said Jerry Jordan, president of the PFT.
Other unions that have endorsed Sanchez include Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5.
“The FOP is proud to endorse Councilwoman Sanchez because the residents of the Seventh District and all of Philadelphia are safer as a result of Councilwoman Sanchez’ hard work and dedication,” said FOP President John McNesby.
Sanchez faces Manny Morales in the primary.
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Terry Tracy, a Republican Council at-large candidate, was endorsed by Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5.
“I am honored to be endorsed by the brave men and women of the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police,” he said. “I intend to work as hard as possible to prove myself worthy of their support. I am grateful for each and every past and present member of FOP Lodge 5 for the peace of mind and sense of safety they afford us.”
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Attorney Derek Green, a Democratic candidate for an at-large Council seat, has been endorsed by Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 and Clear Water Action.
Green is a former assistant district attorney, deputy city solicitor and special counsel to Councilwoman Marian Tasco.
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Helen Gym, an education advocate and Democratic candidate for an at-large Council seat, opposes the School Reform Commission’s outsourcing in the hiring of substitute teachers.
“I am troubled that privatization rather than full staffing is the priority for the SRC,” she said. “It makes no sense for the district to provide incentives to private entities on per diem substitutes, while telling full-time certified teachers they can’t have a pay raise for eight years and must pay into benefits plans at rates as high as their suburban counterparts.”
Meanwhile, Gym was endorsed by Teamsters Local 502, the Commonwealth Association of School Administrators; American Federation of Teachers Local 2026, the Faculty & Staff Federation of Community College of Philadelphia; and AFSCME District Council 47. ••
