Rendell described Doyle as someone with a good heart who cares about people and a good head to tackle complex issues and make tough votes.
Former Gov. and Mayor Ed Rendell last week appeared at a fundraiser for Mike Doyle, the Democratic candidate in the 170th Legislative District.
The fundraiser took place at Katie O’Donnell’s, 4501 Woodhaven Road.
Rendell described Doyle as someone with a good heart who cares about people and a good head to tackle complex issues and make tough votes.
Rendell believes Doyle can beat Republican Rep. Martina White, noting that nobody gave him a chance as a Philadelphian in the 2002 race for governor.
The former two-term district attorney, mayor and governor harshly criticized White.
“She talks a good game in Philadelphia but when she gets up in Harrisburg, she folds like an accordion,” he said. “Our own representative goes up to Harrisburg to kick the s — — out of Philadelphia.”
Melissa Robbins, a Democratic state party activist who introduced Doyle, said White supporters “blindly follow her.”
In response to Rendell’s comments, White said, “It’s not surprising that a former party chairman endorsed a member of his party. My record is clear: I’m standing up for the people I represent in Northeast Philadelphia to protect their money, bring more money to our schools, help create jobs and keep our neighborhoods safe.”
Rendell, calling money “the mother’s milk of politics,” urged the crowd to ask their neighbors to give a $50 donation to Doyle’s campaign and bring people to the polls in what he expects to be a Democratic surge on Nov. 6.
Doyle asked for campaign volunteers.
Also in attendance were Danilo Burgos, the Democratic nominee in the 197th Legislative District, and Larry Arata, a George Washington High School teacher who began focusing on the opioid crisis after his 23-year-old son, Brendan, died of a heroin overdose last December.
Arata, who ran as a Democrat for Congress earlier this year in a Delaware County-based district, mentioned that some 72,000 Americans died of overdoses in 2017. A man not affiliated with the fundraiser told Arara drug addiction is not a disease, which led to a shouting match. The man appeared ready to hit somebody with his beer bottle when someone took it out of his hand. He then placed his arms around a woman’s throat after, he said, she had grabbed his arm. Somebody pulled the man off the woman, and a bouncer led him out of the bar.
Doyle, who plays the saxophone, invited a couple of fellow members of Ferko String Band to entertain. They played favorites such as When You’re Smiling, I Want a Girl (Just Like the Girl that Married Dear Old Dad) and Oh, Dem Golden Slippers.
Doyle has promised to wear a Mummers costume if he has a chance to give a victory speech, and will also dress up for his first speech on the floor of the House of Representatives.
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The city election commissioners unanimously approved pay raises for election board workers.
“I know firsthand that Election Day is long and that the weeks leading up to it can often be stressful,” said chairwoman Lisa Deeley. “I know that they feel underappreciated, overworked and underpaid. This raise sends a message to the election boards that we appreciate their work and dedication, which should have a positive effect on filling the vacancies.”
Commissioner Al Schmidt said, “Election board workers make Election Day possible. It is important that we compensate them for their hard work. This is an important step toward retaining those election board workers we already have and recruiting others to serve in this critical role.”
Workers will receive an extra $20. The new rates are $120 for judges of election, $115 for majority and minority party inspectors, clerks and machine operators and $95 for bilingual interpreters.
The raises will go into effect for the Nov. 6 general election.
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Boilermakers Local 13 endorsed Democrat Joe Hohenstein in the 177th Legislative District.
The union’s political director, Mayfair resident Ed Harkins, said, “Joe Hohenstein came from a union family and is committed to protecting working people’s wages, retirement security, health care and protection on the job. I know Joe will be the best advocate for organized labor and all working people across the lower Northeast and River Wards. Joe understands the importance of investing in our infrastructure, repairing our schools and creating quality employment opportunities right here in our community. We are proud to stand in solidarity with Joe and pledge him our full support for the general election Nov. 6.”
Hohenstein faces Republican Patty-Pat Kozlowski.
In the Democratic primary, the Boilermakers endorsed Sean Kilkenny.
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During an address last week to the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, Republican nominee for governor Scott Wagner released a plan to assist struggling cities in Pennsylvania.
Wagner’s plan would encourage economic investment, provide fair education funding and modernize public transportation systems.
“For far too long, Pennsylvania’s cities have been ignored by Republicans and taken for granted by Democrats,” Wagner said. “If Pennsylvanians in urban communities want to continue down the path of more blight and more poverty, then they should vote for my opponent. But if they want to change the status quo and give innovative, performance-driven solutions a chance to unleash the true potential of our urban areas, then I’m their guy.”
Jeff Bartos, Wagner’s lieutenant governor running mate, said, “As a private-sector business owner and proud resident of the Greater Philadelphia region, I have seen first-hand that one of the biggest challenges facing Pennsylvania’s cities is securing quality investment. This plan will provide the necessary incentives for entrepreneurs and businesses to create economic growth in our cities and will also make critical reforms to our education system so that students living in our cities are well prepared to take advantage of these new opportunities.”
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Wagner’s campaign released a new television ad last week that highlights his plan to improve the lives of those in Pennsylvania’s urban communities.
“Tom Wolf and members of the Democratic Party have had control of our cities for long enough — things have only gotten worse under their leadership,” said campaign manager Jason High. “This ad will show voters in urban communities that Scott is passionate about the problems they face and can offer them an alternative to the status quo.”
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Green Party statewide candidates recently joined supporters in the ballroom of the William Way LGBT Community Center.
The candidates are Paul Glover (governor), Jocolyn Bowser-Bostick (lieutenant governor) and Neal Gale (U.S. Senate).
Glover said, “I can tell you right now, that as your next governor, I will create a new department called the Green Labor ADministration (GLAD), which will create 500,000 new jobs that respond to climate change: cleaning our water and air, cooling and warming our homes without fossil fuels, installing solar and wind energy, expanding organic agriculture, extending public transit.
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The Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Organization for Women is amending its endorsement process moving forward to ensure that it is supporting only candidates who speak out against sexual harassment and assault in general and against suspected elected perpetrators.
NOW will be asking candidates whether or not they have publicly spoken out against elected officials who have been found guilty of sexual harassment, misconduct and/or assault following due process.
Additionally, it will be asking candidates to sign a petition calling for the resignation of the following elected officials: state Sen. Daylin Leach, state Rep. Nicholas Miccarelli and Philadelphia Sheriff Jewell Williams.
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Scott Wagner, the Republican candidate for governor, announced a plan to combat the opioid crisis in Pennsylvania during an address to the York Rotary Club.
Wagner’s plan would dedicate $15 million to performance-based treatment and recovery initiatives.
The plan calls for recouping money from pharmaceutical companies that have not paid for an epidemic Wagner said they have helped exacerbate.
“Combating the opioid crisis ultimately comes down to having enough resources and using them wisely,” Wagner said. “My plan will ensure that the investments we make to curb the epidemic are encouraging innovative treatment and recovery programs that work, and we will be able to drive more dollars into these efforts by finally having the courage to take on the drug companies that have gone unaccountable for far too long.”
Jeff Bartos, Wagner’s lieutenant governor running mate, added, “I have had the privilege to travel across the commonwealth over the past 20 months and meet thousands of people. Throughout this time, I cannot recall a day when the opioid crisis was not discussed, nor can I remember a day when I did not meet at least one person who was personally impacted by the opioid crisis. Scott and I are committed to solving this crisis, and it starts with collaborating more with local governments and expanding treatment and prevention programs. A crisis that impacts so many Pennsylvanians can only be solved with leadership that is committed to ensuring all stakeholders are on board with our proposed initiatives.”
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The Philadelphia Young Republicans delivered 200 backpacks with supplies to elementary school students throughout Philadelphia.
Among the schools receiving backpacks was William Loesche School, 595 Tomlinson Road.
“This is now the second year that the Philadelphia Young Republicans have been able to use politics to make a real impact in our community,” said Ross Wolfe, chairman of the Philadelphia Young Republicans. “I am very proud of those inside and outside of our organization who contributed to this cause. With everyone so focused on what is going on in Washington right now, we hope this event reminds people in both parties that politics should focus on helping the community.”
City Councilman Al Taubenberger and an aide, John Perzel Jr., took part in the deliveries.
“Yet again, those in the Republican Party here in Philadelphia demonstrated their commitment to helping the community. I truly want to thank each individual who donated to or supported this effort,” said Bryan Leib, Republican candidate in the 3rd Congressional District and Philadelphia Young Republicans board member, who helped organized the project. “This project is in line with the message that I have been promoting during my campaign: that we need to put parties aside and use our political efforts to help the community where and when we can.” ••
