Copyright (c) 2006 Philadelphia Daily News
Philadelphia Daily News (PA)
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September 8, 2006
Council wannabes
step up, but ward leaders look like shoo-ins
The quest for City Council began Wednesday night for many wannabe candidates who spoke at a packed forum at Lucy's Hat Shop in Old City.
Sponsored by local progressive groups, the event was held in part to protest the upcoming special election for three vacant seats, in which ward leaders from each party will select the candidates. |
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The progressives want the parties to abstain from endorsing candidates and instead let hopefuls file as independents. But they acknowledge that this is unlikely to happen.
Still, given that the seats are up again for re-election in 2007, most contenders will run next year regardless of the special election. So, Wednesday essentially became a candidates night for next year's primary election, with each hopeful speaking for three minutes.
"We have a politics of fear in Philadelphia," cried Marc Stier, of Neighborhood Networks, who wants to run for the at-large seat empty since the death of David Cohen last fall. "Are you ready to work for reform?"
Three seats are open - the at-large; the 4th District's in West and Northwest Philadelphia, left open by Michael Nutter, who is running for mayor; and the 7th District's in the lower Northeast, from which Rick Mariano resigned after his conviction on federal corruption charges.
While the Republicans will presumably have candidates, these are all seats that will likely go to Democrats.
In the special election, the at-large pick is likely to be William Greenlee, a longtime Cohen aide and ward leader in the 15th Ward in Fairmount. But others who on Wednesday night expressed interest in running were the mayor's son, Sharif; Stier; Councilwoman Marian Tasco's aide Derek Green, and Cohen's widow, Florence.
Cohen said she just wanted to serve for the next year to complete her husband's term. If she is not selected for the special election, she won't run next spring, she said.
"If they don't endorse me, then I'm out," the 88-year-old said. "The ward leaders are their own club."
During his remarks, Street praised Florence Cohen's record with her husband. He then changed course, saying: "We need to fight for a woman's right to choose. We need to get rid of Rick Santorum."
In the 4th District, ward leaders Carol Campbell and Ralph Wynder are interested in the seat, as well as lawyer Matt McClure, and longshoreman Ray Bailey.
Wynder and Campbell did not attend. Ward leader Lou Agre, who had considered running himself, spoke on behalf of Campbell.
The 7th District nod is likely to go to one of two ward leaders, Daniel Savage or John Sabatina, neither of whom attended. Marnie Aument Loughrey, daughter of ward leader Donna Aument, attended, as did Maria Quinones-Sanchez.
Council President Anna Verna was expected to issue the writs of election today.
Eight progressive organizations signed a letter to party leaders, Democrat Bob Brady and Republican Michael Meehan, asking them not to nominate candidates. They have received no answer. * |
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Copyright (c) 2006 Philadelphia Daily News |