- Rep. Vitali calls for moratorium on drilling in our forests on the same day as Rendell's Budget Address
- We have to burn down the school to save it? The really nice school?
- Hey Ben: Questions about tax amnesty
- US Rep. John Murtha, June 17, 1932 – February 8, 2010
- Getting Real Answers from Gubernatorial Candidates
- It is always a good thing when our government works well
- Courtfighter: Delaware County Judge Maureen Fitzpatrick A Bigot? You Judge How Often Bigotry Occurs In Media, PA
- We'll Get You Ready for State Budget Release Tuesday
- ONE Praises U.S. Treasury Announcement to Work with International Partners to Relieve Haiti’s Debt
- A giant toxic monster is coming your way OR no rigs before regs!
Brady still on the Mayoral Ballot
Submitted by Alex Urevick-Ac... on Tue, 03/27/2007 - 4:25pm.
Fight for Room 215 is reporting that Bob Brady jumped his first hurdle in his attempt to keep his name on May's Democratic Mayoral Ballot.
Luzerne County Judge Patrick J. Toole Jr. accepted the argument of Brady attorney Stephen Cozen that his city pension is "mandated by law and, accordingly, falls within the governmentally-mandated payment exclusion outlined in the Ethics Act..."
Toole notes that no appellate court has "specifically addressed or resolved the issue of 'what is a governmentally mandated payment' and/or 'whether a city pension which has vested and is being received constitutes such a payment.'"
Because the language in the state Ethics act is ambiguous, Toole writes, his decision should be "tempered by the well-established policy that favors the preservation, where possible, of a candidate's right to run for office and does not limit our citizens' electoral choices."
Oh well, looks like Knox is going to have to borrow more money from himself to buy City Hall. Fight for Room 215 will have updates as they come in...
"tempered by the
That policy is well-established in law? Seriously? I mean, I agree that it should be, but my (admittedly anecdotal) knowledge of recent ballot access challenges does not really square with there being such a policy under the laws and practices of this Commonwealth.
He's obviously ignoring the legislative intent of the phrase, and I was very impressed by Alex's earlier assertion that where a narrow exception is made in the law, one should not assume a wider exception. ie, because the law very specifically only excludes payments from pensions when those pensions are fully funded by the candidate, suggesting that employer-paid pensions are also exempt under a different section of the statute, if and only if the employer happens to be the government. This ruling means that because the government mandates that its employees be paid, if you leave off a government job, no harm, no foul.
Is he just punting to the next higher court?
All I know is . . .
At this point, I was correct. Now, if a court of appeals makes that a different scenario, so be it. But, as of right now, DanUA is buying me lunch.
Not happening. The SC will
Not happening. The SC will have to jump through some very funny hoops to do so.
Hey, all I know is, as it
Hey, all I know is, as it stands now, I have a lunch coming to me.
Considering the Judge
Considering the Judge basically ignored the law and carved out a nice little Brady exception, I would not order off the menu quite yet Gaetano.
Just consider, last year an
Just consider, last year an even stronger challenge was made to Babette Josephs. She survived and many thought she shouldn't. I believe that the higher court only gave a one sentence reversal, but a dissenting judge blasted the majority for 6 pages.
Essentially, these things are not a predicatable as we would all like to think.
If I am proven wrong, I will gladly buy DanU-A some lunch.
And I have expensive tastes.
And I have expensive tastes.
This town sucks. People
This town sucks. People should be outraged!!!
Dan: The Pa. Supreme Court is famous for
jumping through funny hoops! There's never been a funny hoop they can't jump through.
Where's the moral integrity?
The silence is deafening. Not a word from the anti-Knox contingent. A man gets 35 hours per week without working paid into a pension and not a peep from Dan or Alex. Explain your rationalization. Forget being thrown off the ballot. It's the fraud, stupid. Brady and the carpenters give ammunition to those that want to destroy unions. At a time when the Employee Free Choice Act is gaining steam(I know Bush won't sign it but 2008 could be a real goal) And all this site cares about is that a white man stays on the ballot so Knox can't win. Hypocrisy. Don't attack me just address the issue.
Jesus. This is a group blog.
I think we should all adopt a new rule. It has two parts.
1) Everyone is free and encouraged to argue with anyone about what they say;
2) Everyone will have the courtesy not to argue with anyone about what they don't say.
Note that in this case, the latter doesn't even actually apply, since Alex wrote the post and Dan repeatedly commented on it. It's that the brothers U-A didn't adopt the proper tone of outrage, which is just a silly complaint.
Note also that I could see exceptions to rule 2, in the case of long, glaring, omissions, but they should be few.
You're missing the point...
They both claimed to have high and unforgivable principles regarding Knox. I claimed at the time that those principles only existed to attack Knox's surge in the polls. Knox apologized yet they didn't except his apology. They also claimed that this was an attempt to get a white man off the ballot so Knox could the white vote himself and thus "steal" the mayors race. When you have unforgivable principles they come back to bite you in the ass. Forget the ballot issue which Brady will probably end up being thrown off for any way. What Brady and the Carpenters did was fraud and not a peep from the brothers on this. At least Alex proves that his morals only exist for the political gain of his horse in the race. But still silence from Dan.
Eraske, you brave soul, you
Eraske, you brave soul, you are right. Such bravery from you.
Actually, my position on Brady is pretty clear: As I said, I don't think he should be kicked off the ballot, but, when he fights his case pretending that two days prior to the case, he was saying kicking people off is part of the process, it reminds me of 1984, and makes me care a lot less.
But, you brave brave soul, you have found me out. I am so ashamed.
I'm not brave...
and you certainly aren't for completely avoiding the question. You only make yourself look like fool.
Hmm, when anonymous morons
Hmm, when anonymous morons tell what I am and am not supposed to write about, I tend not to.
Did you know that last week SEPTA proposed potential reforms that are going to be a disaster? I mean, a real disaster, especially for poor people. But, guess what, oh brave one, despite caring about it, I didn't write about it.
I am sorry to have let you down though, little buddy.
Between you and your brother..
you like insult and call names. Anonymous hardly. E is my first initial Raske is my last name. Just like I told your brother don't let your mouth write a check your ass can't cash. I don't do insults. Do you forget what you write about? When you make comments and posts about Knox wanting the white man thrown of the ballot and talk about your uncompromising and unforgiving principles then you should expect to answer for those same morals. Brady has committed fraud on his union brothers and silence from you. At least your brother has the balls to admit that he's a fraud like Brady. I could provide links but whats the point. Let it go you look desperate.
And last night, three more
And last night, three more kids died in China. If only I had a couple more hours for YPP, and had finished my peas.
Cry me a river...
You have been slinging insults since you arrived on this site (you have at least two within the infantile tirade I'm responding to). You also claimed that you were going to have my ass cash some check that my mouth wrote. So far as I can tell though, my ass hasn't cashed any checks recently. Any idea what the date on that check might be, tough guy?
Well, at least you admit I have balls. I guess that's progress.
I work for Damon K. Roberts in his run for City Council. Unless otherwise stated this and every comment by myself is the opinion of myself, and not of Damon or any other candidate, organization, committee, etc.
I guess I should also set
I guess I should also set aside more time for blogging, cause apparently if I don't write about something, a child in China starves.
You're so...
witty.
Go back through the archives
Go back through the archives -- you'll find plenty of people, including Dan, taking on Brady. In this post he bets that Brady will get tossed from the ballot.
If the brothers U-A or Ray Murphy were going out of their way to defend Brady, you would have a point. But not for this.
At any rate, the story is Brady, his wife, the carpenters' union, the campaign... What a law student and a campaign staffer don't say on a blog is not that big of a deal.
(I am making a resolution to take all of you less seriously. It is making my life much easier.)
Do you have an issue?
Honestly, I'm not sure what it is. First of all, I don't think I've ever stated, one way or another, whether I thought Brady should or would be thrown off of the ballot. Honestly, I think it would stink to have him thrown out for these reasons, if the only reason is his government pension.
Second of all, Tom Knox doesn't like poor people. At the very least he doesn't care enough about them to not rip them off. When confronted by those of us who are appalled that someone who wants to run a city with as many poor folks as Philadelphia has engaged in business that rips off poor people, his two responses, so far, have been: A) it was only a small percentage of his business (meaning he didn't even need to rip off of the poor and desperate, yet he did it anyway) and B) those who tried to stop him are analogous to the Nazi secret police.
And this has nothing to do with wanting "another white candidate" on the ballot. I have stated before that Brady is near the top of my list of my mayoral candidates, and I think he is a much better person than Knox, so I'd definitely be much happier with Brady both having the opportunity to compete and with Knox losing some votes that might come his way. To be honest, I'm not really sure that Knox and Brady are really competing for the same voters. They could be, but the fact that both are white doesn't prove that in the least...
So your crying about principles...
was just politics. Thanks for clearing that up. You're a fraud just like Bob Brady.
Huh?
Does that actually make sense in your mind? And what crying about principles are you referring to? When I speak out against those who fleece the weak/poor? When I criticize people who stupidly compare people who protect the poor with the Gestapo?
Or maybe you're saying that brady did both of these? If so, can you please provide a link?
I work for Damon K. Roberts in his run for City Council. Unless otherwise stated this and every comment by myself is the opinion of myself, and not of Damon or any other candidate, organization, committee, etc.
Brady committed fraud...
yet you believe he should stay on the ballot and you would want him to be mayor. You don't see the hypocrisy? I understand how you have rationalized this. You look desperate.
Fraud?
So what was the fraud? Forgetting to list his pension on his petition? I'd guess that this is probably a stupid enough move to get him thrown off of the ballot, or at least I think it might once it reaches the supreme court. But stupidity is not fraud (or else you'd probably be in jail by now).
And I don't look desperate, I look good. Seriously, just ask my mom.
I work for Damon K. Roberts in his run for City Council. Unless otherwise stated this and every comment by myself is the opinion of myself, and not of Damon or any other candidate, organization, committee, etc.
eraske: That may be a libelous statement
What evidence do you have that Brady's pension with the carpenter's union is fraud?
Gotta say..Gadfly? Gman? Lou?
Some strange goings-on.
Where's the YPP Brady Bunch when you want an explanation for how his wife gets a 100 G job for administrative work? Oh yeah, at a company that gets no-bid contracts from the City?
Can someone clarify the type of job she did there and her qualifying credentials?
I'm Thrilled That Bob Brady Is Still On The Ballot
I believe that Philadelphia will benefit with Bob Brady as the next Mayor. The Plaitiff's lawyer got everything he asked for: He wanted Bob Brady to testify; He wanted an out-of-town judge, etc. Appeals have a lot to do with legal errors. What errors did Judge Toole make? The case cannot be retried on the issues.
Dan, I think you're going to owe someone lunch. Additionally, I think that you are intellectually honest and have been very consistant in your views up and down the line (even though I don't always agree with you).
While I do support Bob Brady for Mayor, there are two other good candidates in Dwight Evans and Michael Nutter. While I'm not a big fan of Congressman Chaka Fattah, I consider him to be a reasonable choice.
On the otherhand, I believe that Tom Knox is trying to buy the Mayorily race with ill gotten gains and misrepresentations: I think a substantial amount of his funds were off the backs of the weakest among us. His bank, Crusader Bank, charged immoral rates. I understand that he didn't do anything that was illegal, at the time. However, I can't imagine any father or mother telling their kids that "legal" loansharking is the way they should make their livings. For shame!
DE II, Bob Brady has a large family and many friends. I think that Bob Brady will be a great Mayor for Philadelphia. It's his leadership and negotiating skills (the PCC strike reolution among others) that make me want to support him.
My recommendation is to meet Bob Brady, listen to what he says, and perhaps you'll better understand why I support him.
Sorry Gadfly,
but while I appreciate that you're the only one among those I called out who stood up to respond, I don't find your explanation satisfactory (In fact, were any of your comments even directed towards my question? Doesn't it bother you that his wife landed a cushy job at a high salary from a company that gets no-bid contracts from the City? If you don't know an explanation for how that happened, then why are you such a loyal supporter of Brady?).
And I find it interesting that none of the Brady supporters at YPP have boo to say about the money he gets from the union for what seems like virtually no work, and have never responded to questions about how Brady can support people like Carol Campbell.
No, I've never met the guy, and he does seem to inspire messianic support in some who have met him - but I've been told by Nutter supporters also that if I meet Nutter and hear what he says I'll be awestruck as well. Somehow, I tend to doubt it.
And in the meantime, while I mean no offense, I find it interesting that just as Susan doesn't answer questions about Knox, the Brady supporters seem to like doing a lot of bobbing and weaving or complaining about how unfairly they're treated, or simply don't respond, when questions are directed at them.
Cushy job
I have a few things to add here:
1) The "no-bid" contract for the firm that employs Brady's wife is $1 million has been active since 1998. This is the only city contract they have. If they are paying her $100,000 a year over that period (now close to 10 years) they would have BROKEN EVEN with the contract and her salary, without even taking into account that they ARE INDEED working for the city and generating expenses to do that work. I would hardly call this tit-for-tat, since under those conditions they would be losing money - alot of it. Again, this is their only city contract and you can read all about this in the 3/27/07 Inquirer article.
2) If you think that a 74 year old judge from LUZERNE COUNTY is somehow influenced by Brady's Dem Party Chair status (a judge that was quick to challenge him on the stand) I don't know who you guys could ever trust. I doubt that this man has aspirations for a higher court at his advanced age. He is not "punting," Knox asked for an out of town judge and that is what he got (yet he still attacked the judge's credibility following the ruling).
3) Brady's case differs from past cases in many important ways. Anastasio didn't list ANY sources of income on his paperwork (he had a full time job). Braxton failed to list income from rental properties (pretty important considering the influence he would have in those matters) The disclosure form says to the candidate "DO NOT LIST" governmentally mandated payments, and Brady didn't. If he did I can see Knox challenging him for listing income that is not supposed to be listed. Brady also has disclosed both the city and carpenter's pensions every year in Congress since 1998. He is not hiding anything, he was simply complying with very vague instructions.
The carpenter's pension is
The carpenter's pension is quite a bit different from the city pension. It's impossible to construe that pension as a governmentally mandated payment. It also is much closer to a conflict of interest, as well as being a little on the shady side in terms of how it's paid out, since Brady doesn't work the hours the pension claims he does. (If the carpenters' union does this kind of accounting trickery all the time, this is a pretty deep problem.)
I would not be surprised if a higher court doesn't come down differently on whether the omission of that pension constitutes a fatal error (a decision which wasn't firmly addressed one way or the other in the Braxton case, although it probably should have been).
I also think it's very possible that Brady's first explanation was right -- he misread or got bad advice on the instructions and thought he didn't have to list pensions as income. His lawyer isn't making that argument, though, because if you concede the omission, you're in Vern Anastasio land -- despite your good intentions, you might be wrong, wrong, wrong, and lose the battle without firing a shot.
Pensions
Brady had to list sources of income on the disclosure. A pension is not considered income until a divident is paid. He did not receive a dividend in 2006, therefore it did not constitute income.
The city pension was considered by the court a governmentally mandated payment.
Brady is on the ballot.
The judge in this case
The judge in this case disagreed with that argument about the carpenters' union pension. His decision said Brady should have disclosed the pension but that his failure to do so wasn't a fatal mistake. Brady discloses the pension on his statement for Congress.
I don't like the precedent set if a pension isn't income until a dividend is paid -- wouldn't every lobbying group just funnel money into pensions for candidates? Are there any kind of limits on pension contributions to political candidates and people who hold office? "Vote with us, give us the contracts, and you can retire in the Mediterranean." That's bad news.
Thanks for the response - I
Thanks for the response - I didn't see that level of detail in the article I read about Mrs. Brady's job. The article I did read made the amount of salary she recieves for the kind work she was doing seem highly suspicious. I'm not one to question anyone being well-paid, but her salary does raise questions. Anything to say about that?
And what about this? (From Attytood 3/21):
Ah, but it's not the only GOVERNMENT contract they have.
For details, see Fumo indictment.
Campaign Staff
On the one hand, Susan Madrak is Tom Knox's press secretary, so she would be the one to go to for answers to questions about Tom Knox. On the other hand, Susan also works for Tom Knox's campaign, so what she says constitutes a much more official response than (for example) my comments would for Michael Nutter.
In general, people who work for campaigns can't be expected to trash or even politely disagree with their candidate in public. If Ray has a problem with stop-and-frisk, I wouldn't expect him to go on and on about it -- he'd be publically spatting with his boss. If Susan were asked to respond to something where a misstep might hurt Knox, I would expect her to take some time to do it.
Alex didn't post about Damon Roberts' ballot challenges, although some of us thought he might. From Damon's post afterwards, it sounds like his camp was in disagreement about what he should do. Alex might have been a vocal proponent of one or the other side. If he disagreed with his the decision to challenge, there wasn't much he could say about it. If he agreed, or made a spirited defense anyways, and DR changed his mind afterwards (which he eventually did, given new evidence) Alex would also have a tough time then, too.
The disclosures of who works for whom work both ways -- they tell everyone else part of the reason you're saying what you're saying, why you're not saying other things, and how close we might identify your position with your candidates. If Gadfly and some of the other pro-Brady people are working or volunteering for the campaign, that changes how we view their statements and their silence. They should also definitely disclose it. Otherwise, they should use their anonymity to react, and to say what they feel.
I'm anonymous because of the limitations of my job, not because of my choice for mayor. Not working for the campaign, I can disagree with the candidates I like and go a little snarkier on the candidates I dislike. Some of the more vocal Brady supporters have used anonymity just to do the latter -- sometimes in ways that violate the spirit of mature discussion. (Gman, I'm still mad at you.) I don't mind anonymity, I don't mind campaign staffers pulling back from issues that could hurt their candidates, and I don't even mind people throwing some elbows in the paint. But everything has its place.
(Gosh, I'm in a zen mood today.)
The Opinion
I obtained a private copy of the entire opinion, which I read several times... I am also a law student. The judge did follow the law. The law was construed in error in past decisions. Mark my words, Brady will remain on the ballot now that this decision has been made. I'd be happy to take bets: jcruise400@verizon.net
I Support Bob Brady For Mayor
While I support Bob Brady, I don't make any money from the Brady Campaign. I don't stand to get a job when Bob Brady becomes Mayor. I am not a spokesperson, in any way, for the Campaign. When I speak, it comes from my heart and what I know or understand. If I met Carol Campbell, I didn't know it. Neither have I met Bob Brady's wife or Vince Fumo. I have met the Congressman and was thoroughly impressed with his patience and leadership skills.
I'd like to use a sports analogy: No one person can play every position. I see Bob Brady as both Scout and Manager.
I can't speak to the specific facts about the Carpenter's Union Pension, but my understading is pensions are based on hours, so it appears that is what the Carpenter's Union is doing.
The real question that should be asked is who will be the best Mayor for Philadelphia. The answer for me is Bob Brady. I think he'll bring hope to those that need it.
You'd know if you met Carol Campbell...
I'm pretty sure that the Darth Vader/Evil Empire theme plays every time she's wheeled into a room and the temperature drops a few degrees.
I work for Damon K. Roberts in his run for City Council. Unless otherwise stated this and every comment by myself is the opinion of myself, and not of Damon or any other candidate, organization, committee, etc.
As a baseball fan myself...
I see Bob Brady as both owner and agent.
Where have you been Susan?
You've been on here today slingin mud at Bob but you've never ever responded to any of the posts we made concerning Knox. What gives? Did you miss the spin meeting on how to deal with Youngblood questions?
In the interest of transparency
why not post the federal regulators report on Crusader Bank's just lovely business practices which has led to the displacement of so many of our city's most vulnerable folks. I am sure that many mothers cried upon the loss of their home due to predatory lending or the loss of their HMO benefits for their children.
www.jameskenney.com
www.311forphilly.com
Correct me if I'm wrong, Councilman...
But in the interest of transparency, don't you have two day jobs? I remember the Vitetta Group - I used to cover it as an investigative reporter because architectural and construction firms liked to hire politicians as "business developers." I kept a close eye on that sort of thing because, while politicians wouldn't do anything as obvious as push for local business with their own name attached, there was a lot of "nudge nudge, wink wink" activity across municipal borders, and that can really turn into an ethical quagmire.
Is it still like that?
Retract the claws, Susan.
I note that Councilman Kenney is not on line at the present to defend himself.
I know nothing about the Vitetta Group but I don't see how this vitriolic attack has anything to do with Knox' past as an owner of a predatory lending comapny.
'Claws'?
I've yet to hear anyone say "Retract your claws" to a man. Can you explain your choice of words, please? Maybe I've misinterpreted this phrase as SEXIST and DISMISSIVB - which are hardly true progressive values.
I don't agree with Susan on much...
..but here, i have to agree. Totally inappropriate comment Tom.
Ray Murphy, Captain of the PC Police!
I don't know what this place would look like without Ray keeping us together.
Really, we do a pretty good job of this on our own. And, because I do not know Susan, I wouldn't say something like that to her. It is likely I wouldn't say it to anyone. But, sometimes, we get caught in the moment and argument. Let's cut Tom a break. I'm sure he didn't mean anything offensive or dismissive by it.
Listen up
I don't really care what you think of me Gaetano and Tom may have been caught in the moment, but Susan is one of thew few women who blogs here regularly and she is right to point out that a comment about "claws" would not have been made to any man.
This was a messed up comment and anyone who does it again will get fair warning before they are banned. If you don't like it, check out blogger.com.
I agree with you, Ray. I'm
I agree with you, Ray. I'm just looking for some middle ground here.
Plus, I thought I was being funny. Apparently not. Yesterday you called me a me a homophobe. I didn't get all bitchy about that--I knew you were playing.
Bitchy?
would you call any man here but me bitchy? Homophobe!
So this is politics . . .
Yes. I would. From now on, I'll start doing that more frequently so you do not feel as though I am singling you out.
Does that work?
that's great
Yes. And for anyone that does not know him or me, so far as I know, Gaetano is no homophobe.
Gaetano can be bitchy,
Gaetano can be bitchy, however. :)
Sorry- really didn't know claws was gender biased.
My son is raising a seeing eye puppy. His name is Lynx. He has claws and they are sharp. He is a male dog.
My problem with Susan's post was that it seemed to imply that Jim Kenney had some unethical dealings in connection with an architectural firm. She seems to have backed off that in a later post. I think innuendo is inappropriate.
To be PC, everything has to
To be PC, everything has to be sanitized.
Again, you are wrong.
It is transparent. It is on my ethics statement and financial disclosure statement.
I also teach at Penn and sit on a couple of boards. It's all there in black and white.
My firm has not gotten or pursued city work since I came on board and they will not as long as I am here.
Since I am not wealthy by Knox's standards, I have a responsibility to provide for my family as is best possible within the law. The city solicitor and outside legal counsel have OK'd my employment.
So be more concerned about your guy's "nudgeing" poor people out of their homes over the years and the "wink wink" of his campaign "loan" charade. "Taking the sale sign off of city hall", and replacing it with a "Sold Sign".
www.jameskenney.com
www.311forphilly.com
I'm sorry, perhaps I wasn't clear.
I didn't single out your firm. I said that architectural and construction firms tended to hire politicians because they could persuade people in other cities and towns, and that sometimes it got ethically messy. It did.
For example: a township councilman is hired to do government business development and of course pledges he won't solicit work in his own township. He then lobbies the local state rep and gets contracts for a new state project, possibly by agreeing to vote a certain way (or even abstain) in his capacity as a town councilman. While it all appears perfectly legal, you can see how there's still real potential for unethical shenanigans.
Most of the work
is a bid or a competetive process. An A/E firm must have a portfolio of work and then go through a rigorous qualification and selection process.
I will worry about my ethics issues, thanks.
www.jameskenney.com
www.311forphilly.com
Yeah, I sat through a lot of those selections as a reporter.
As I recall, not all that rigorous. There are a lot of convenient variables, especially in professional services contracts. It's been a while but as I recall, the legal wording requires "lowest qualified bidder" and that left a lot of wiggle room if the politicians were so inclined. (They usually were.) We reporters could always tell which companies would get those contracts, regardless of merit. The selection interview process was just one big Kabuki dance.
It's "lowest responsive and
It's "lowest responsive and responsible bidder." I work in government bids and contracts. You were close, however.
I worked in Delaware County.
And it was 15 years ago. The same general principle applies, however.
Susan..
First, you make claims about Kenney, or at least "hint" at them, yet provide no proof. The closest you've come to backing these up is stating that, in Delaware County 15 years ago you looked into this? Come on.
Second, time and time again people have asked you to provide answers on Knox. You have done a great job avoiding those questions time and time again, but have always found the time to come on here and make up stories about people without any proof. We have the proof that Knox dealt in shady lending practices, that he claimed groups trying to stop him "the gestapo" and we know that he is buddy buddy with Michael Youngblood-a convicted extortionist (and Republican agent during the Katz era). For the sake of my sanity, will you please please respond to these?
While you're Kabuki dancing,
could you tell easily which poor family would be tossed out on their rears because they could not pay the 300% interest rate that made Knox a rich, always on the tube, reform candidate for mayor.
I'll bet losing your home is all that rigorous. Tell me, would "We reporters" do a better job of examining the finances of such a candidate or has fifteen years made you more of a mercenary than an advocate.
www.jameskenney.com
www.311forphilly.com
Actually, you're misusing the term.
Look it up.
Tom's finances have undergone pretty intense media scrutiny. Dave Davies, Bob Warner, Marcia Gelbart, Mike Schaeffer, Tom Fitzgerald and Mark Fazllolah are all quite capable and thorough - or do you suggest otherwise? They've all written extensively about Tom's finances.
Me, a mercenary? You just don't know how funny that is. Maybe you should ask someone who actually knows me.
What
ever.
www.jameskenney.com
www.311forphilly.com
I think
The question isn't his tax forms, etc. But rather how he earned that money. There are a lot of questions there.
I'm curious..After he was super-deputy mayor during the Rendell era, what did he do for Philadelphia after that? Let me clarify, was he at all involved in the community?
Actually 400%
Councilman,
It was actually 400% interest.
Do you have any evidence
Do you have any evidence that Councilman Kenney engaged in that kind of behavior? Because, if not, that was a reprehensible posting. And posing your suggestion in the form of a question didn't make it any less so.
I see we have a double standard on YPP.
Councilman Kenney repeatedly insinuates that Tom Knox improperly got city contracts while deputy mayor. Despite my continued requests for specific information, he dodges the question and attacks me personally. I make a mild allusion to commonly-known practices in companies such as his, and all of you rise to Kenney's defense as though he were a damsel in distress. Clearly, there are different rules for different classes of people here.
Come on Suzie!
You know this blog world as well as anyone and you can't see why there's a double standard? Actually, let me rephrase: given Knox and Kenney's relative engagement of the netroots, do you really think that there is a double standard?
Kenney actually engages this community in an open and honest fashion, and he responds to almost any criticism/complaint leveled against him.
Tom Knox is too afraid to come onto a site like this, which leads most to believe that he doesn't have the
ballsability to defend his many questionable business practices.If Knox would have just said "yeah, you know I probably shouldn't have been engaged in a shady business like predatory lending. I'm sorry." than a good number of attacks would stop. If he said "I've learned my lesson and I'll work to ensure that people like me don't rip off poor people in the city when I'm mayor" than almost all of them would stop.
But, Tom seems to be too scared of going "off message" and too arrogant to apologize for anything publicly, while Jim Kenney has proven himself time and time again as an honest, smart, and capable politician who is not afraid to "dust it up" online or off and who works tirelessly to make this city a better place (hell, if only two of Kenney's proposed projects- Zoning reform and 311- were to go forward, a large amount of corruption and corruptible personal power would disappear from the city)
I work for Damon K. Roberts in his run for City Council. Unless otherwise stated this and every comment by myself is the opinion of myself, and not of Damon or any other candidate, organization, committee, etc.
I find the "damsel in
I find the "damsel in distress" comment sexist and dismissive and I demand a full apology.
Wah, Wah
Yea, I have never been beaten up on here before.
Susan, you never listen. I did not say it was improper for Knox to enrich himself on no bid government contracts. I said that he is a phoney, hypocrite to use those resources to try to make himself into Fiorello LaGuardia with a bad dye job. Knox is no reformer and never was.
I did say it is improper to enrich himself on the backs of poor folks through his predatory lending history. That is the disgraceful part of the story.
www.jameskenney.com
www.311forphilly.com
No Jim
The disgraceful part of this story is that a man who has never ever been involved in public service (and Susie, if you pull that line about "deputy mayor" I might jump in front of a bus) suddenly buys his way into this campaign. Everything about this guy stinks, from his psuedo brown hair, to paying Trippi 1 mil (who absurdly stated that Brady is whats wrong with Philly politics...weird...when did Trippi become an expert on Philly?)to his lines of crap he feeds people. He has never once stated how he will implement ANYTHING. Every questionare I read that he has submitted just says "yes" if he will support something. He won't even respond to the City Paper about questions, he (or his campaign)certainly has never responded to accusations made about him. Youngblood?
I kinda imagine the reason Tom is running is because someone in the cigar room at the Union League told him he had what it takes to be mayor. Little did he know it was actually a sarcastic joke.
Warmest regards,
giving PBJ's to drug addicts so people will actually show up at your announcement rally.
ps. Susie, aside from giving away peanut butter sandwiches, name ONE thing Knox has done for the people of Philly in the last 10 years?
Peanut Butter and Jelly? I
Peanut Butter and Jelly? I would assume PBJ sandwiches are good for drug addicts. Having a full stomach when you do some of that stuff really helps.
Youngblood
Susan, I'm also still waiting for an answer to my question: What is Knox's association with Michael Youngblood? Also, is he a paid staffer, or does he just like to hang out with Tom and drive him around? Any concerns about his history of extortion from a homeless shelter or JBM?
"Damsel in distress" from a
"Damsel in distress" from a woman who recently complained that "retract your claws" was a sexist comment? Interesting.
Tom Knox is . . . disappointing
I don't get it. A judge from west-bumble, with no connection to the Philadelphia "machine" makes a decision and Tom Knox says it is "big boss politics at its worst."
Tom--where would this judge have to come from to render what you would call a fair decision? Juneau, Alaska. Portland, Maine. Cheyenne, Wyoming.
I get spin, but seriously, give it a rest and appeal the decision if you don't like it. Don't insult my intelligence or the voters of Philadelphia.
DanU-A, I'm coming for that lunch.
I'd be happy to discuss this with you...
Offline. Unfortunately, I don't have your email address but if you email me, I'll explain.
Offline?
Your guy is running for mayor. You and all of us are in the "fishbowl". Why the need to discuss issues offline?
Did you post your issues about me offline? If you guys do win the nomination, you had better get used to the scrutiny. I hope you are up to the task.
www.jameskenney.com
www.311forphilly.com
I'm not the person running for office.
I only work for one. And even if I were, I'd still retain the right to a private conversation. Do you somehow see that as any of your business?
I didn't post issues about you per se. I used your position as a jumping-off point to explain why the ethical wall is too often permeable when politicians work for government contractors, because that's something I've been writing about since the 1980s - long before I knew you existed. In fact, I won an investigative journalism award for a series I did on municipal insurance contracts in Delaware County.
Congratulations on your award.
Per se, you have tried to impugn my integrity while avoiding the obvious questions about Simon LeGre (you have to be old enough to get that one).
Since your "award" was for an investigative series on no bid, municipal insurance contracts, I am sure you know Tom Knox quite well. Was this where you met.
www.jameskenney.com
www.311forphilly.com
It's fascinating to me...
How thin-skinned you are when someone uses even mild versions of your own tactics.
Let's look at things from my perspective: You have repeatedly impugned Tom's motives and integrity on this board, but when I've asked for specifics, you're consistently silent. (You remind me of those defense attorneys who allege all sorts of outrageous things in the opening statement, and never produce the evidence during the trial.) I really hate those kind of smear-and-run tactics.
Now, when I mention in a general way that people in government sales positions similar to yours have been known to get involved in ethically muddy situations, you're highly indignant and fire off a series of personal attacks - on me. Pot, meet kettle.
As I once told Tom Judge when he complained about something I wrote, "With all due respect, Mr. Judge, if this upsets you that much, maybe you should look into another line of work." (Which was actually kind of funny, because he said I made his wife cry when I wrote about him collecting checks for three full-time patronage jobs - at the same time. I mean, I don't think even Bob Brady can top that one. But I digress.)
As to your other insinuation - I first met Tom in December 2006, after I told Joe Trippi I was interested in working on the campaign. So no, Councilman, this job wasn't a payoff. Is that how things work in your world?
Integrity?
Exactly what integrity does Knox have?
Specifics, explain Crusader Bank for starters. Explain the regulators report and the business of predatory lending. You have had the opportunity to explain it here and you have chosen not to.
You did not generally speak about my firm. You specifically mentioned it in regards to ethical mud. Perhaps you should check with Paul Rosen before extending your comments there.
You are not the candidate but are the spokesperson. So, just speak plainly about just one issue raised here:Crusader Bank.
www.jameskenney.com
www.311forphilly.com
"Explain" Crusader Bank?
I think it's self-explanatory. Which part don't you understand? Read this, this or this.
From Pennsylvania Progressive Website
A progressive's view on pay-day lending:
"The payday loan industry is rolling in cash. Just look at Philadelphia Mayoral candidate Tom Knox for an example. His commercials, unavoidable if you live in southeastern Pennsylvania because they're all over television, are funded by the millions he made exploiting the poor. Knox brags about how he rose from being poor to being a rich, self made man but he explain all the poor people he exploited with his payday loan company do get there.
Now he wants to be Mayor? Why would anyone entrust the care of Philadelphia's millions of poor people to someone who so exploited them? Too many African Americans in Philadelphia are trapped in a cycle of poverty many escape only as victims of violence. I simply don't trust a man like Tom Knox to help these people after his Crusader Bank was so abusive regulators forced him to shut down.
There are some very good candidates running to be Philadelphia's next Mayor but Tom Knox is not a good man. He's trying to buy the office with the cash he leeched from the City's poorest neighborhoods. Ignore his television ads and look behind the images to who he exploited to make his money."
http://pennsylvaniaprogressive.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/02/predatory_p...
Seeing Councilman Kenney and
Seeing Councilman Kenney and Tom Knox's campaign manager spar is sad when the bottom line is that Philadelphia would be better off if neither of Brady nor Knox were in the race. I propose that Knox and Brady both withdraw from the race.
Seeing the egos holding Philadelphia back troubles me greatly and the thing is that both Councilman Kenney and Ms. Madrak would probably agree if they'd think about the big picture for a minute. Philadelphia deserves better.
Thank you!!
I couldn't agree more. They are BOTH shady, this is obvious to anyone with a brain. It's time to talk about issues and plans.
Now that's silly
Well, 25,000 people who signed Brady's petition would disagree with you.
I'm not Tom's campaign manager.
I'm his press secretary. I do agree that egos are holding the city back, but we probably differ on whose egos are the problem.
And
this is his defense?
Put these stories on the tube as much as the crying mom pieces and he could not get elected dog catcher.
www.jameskenney.com
www.311forphilly.com
Dog Catcher Elections...
I'm sure that this is true, so where the hell are the commercials challenging Knox. If everyone is as concerned about Knox as they claim to be, than how come I haven't seen one ad talking about "The Real Tom Knox", the one that fleeces the poor and who used his one and only time in the public eye to prove that he has no problem with no-bid contracts for the city when they benefit himself?
A few months back I said that I'd bet Knox would lose, but that I couldn't be 100% sure the would lose because I couldn't predict how well the other camps would run their campaigns. Well, the fact that none of the other camps has addressed the Knox issue head on is not a good indication of the quality of any of the campaigns.
And BTW- it doesn't take donations to any of the campaigns to take on Knox. If there are these big donors waiting to write million dollar checks to Fattah and Brady, than why don't they direct them to a PAC or (c)4 that can then educate the voters about Knox's past (and present, if you include Youngblood)? Is it illegal for PACs or other non-profits to purchase educational ads about one of the candidates?
I work for Damon K. Roberts in his run for City Council. Unless otherwise stated this and every comment by myself is the opinion of myself, and not of Damon or any other candidate, organization, committee, etc.
Knox and Youngblood
Susan,
While you're explaining, you have still avoided answering what Tom Knox's relationship is with Michael Youngblood. Care to explain???
Knox and no-bid contracts
Susan,
You still haven't commented on the no-bid contracts that Knox received through a 3rd party while he was a deputy mayor.
Councilman, that was funny
Not trying to get in the crossfire here, but that comment made me laugh.
I support Michael Nutter for Mayor
A very telling thread?
One the one hand we Knox supporters, who duck questions about Knox, signing on to level charges against Brady.
And on the other we have Brady supporters, who duck questions with regard to Brady, signing on to level charges against Knox.
Hmmm. I wonder if the actions of the supporters is reflective of the candidates?
My thoughts
I still haven't made up my mind on the mayor's race, so I don't really have a dog in this fight. However, it's a little annoying that partisans from both camps are flooding the site with nasty posts. Here is a new rule: don't attack someone just because their choice of candidate is different from yours. Most people on this site are actually motivated by a desire to make Philadelphia better. We can argue endlessly about the solutions, but let's not kick the shit out of each other just because we're backing different people for mayor. I hope that users can maintain a level of civility as election day gets closer.
Moving beyond the legal questions, I have to say that this whole episode says a lot about Tom Knox. I don't like what I see. His decision to attack Brady after his testimony was immature at best and downright nasty at worst. There are legitimate reasons to question Brady's competence. Intelligence is not one of them. Konx's attacks show that he will not play well with others if elected mayor. How does he expect to get anything done if he alienates people like Brady?
---
http://benwaxman.com
You're right
Ben, you're right. Also, that Knox got an out-of-county retired judge to rule, and now is accusing him of bias is deplorable!
Well, at this point - all I
Well, at this point - all I know by watching this whole episode play out is who I am NOT voting for.
I was pretty confident to who was going to get my vote - and after watching BOTH sides of this 'battle' in action, it just helps me seal the deal.
Michael Nutter for Mayor.
Tom Knox-Does not play well with others
Remember in grade school there was a space on your report card that a child does not play well with others. This is Tom Knox. He has not had one person or organization endorse him. He has no one from his past say he was a good guy. To the contrary everyone that worked with him in the Rendell administration has nothing but bad things to say about him. He is imperious and immature. He did not get his way in court and he pouts. If this is the way he campaigns how will he govern? How will he get along with City Council?
On another note the editorial in the Daily News excoriating Brady was beyond the bounds of fairness. CCP is constantly underfunded, yet when Bob Brady gets a portion of what is owed he is lambasted. If Rendell had done this the DN would have praised him. Bob Brady demonstrated the skill and intelligence that would make him a good mayor. He also showed the commitment to labor and education that is needed. He not only talks the talk, he walks the walk.
Lou Agre doesn't either...
These comments, of course, come from the pillar of intellectual fortitude that slugged a Local 98 attorney at the city commissioners' offices some years ago, which I recall also had something to do with Candidate Brady. You make me proud to live in the 21st.
At least I identify myself
It sure is easy to post anonymously. You DE II and others like to take cheap, and uninformed shots at me, anonymously. At least I man up and identify myself.
Talk about cheap shots, Lou
First of all, I've lived in your ward for much of my life and have family members and friends that live their now. I'd say that gives me the right to ask questions about a ward leader who apparently feels that getting indicted for assault is is not something for which he owes an explanation. I disagree: I think you do owe an explanation.
When I raised it, as a valid issue, in the past, you whined that I was uninformed. I asked you to inform me. You said that you were too busy readying for the election. Hmmmm. You've been posting here an awful lot lately. Seems that you have time for some things and not others, eh?
So inform me, Lou, what was your justification, as a political leader, to slug a guy in order to settle differences? What was the nature of the disagreement? Did it have anything to do with entrenched political leaders not liking to be challenged?
Further, as I informed Jim Kenney when he tried to make something out of the fact that I post anonymously, all you need to know about my identity is that I'm a citizen of this city, and a member of the Democratic party. As for your macho posturing about the issue, it really doesn't mean shit to me. I'll still call you out. The question is will you still continue to whine about everybody treating you so unfairly by asking you for accountability?
Reply
It is easy to take cheap shots from behind the curtain. I do not owe anyone who is anonymous any explanation. Further, as you may know or not know, all charges were dropped. I am not elected by you, you do not pay my salary and I owe you courtesy, that is all. When you identify yourself we can have a meaningful discussion. The people on this site who take the cheapest shots are the ones taht post anonymously ( excepting short shrift). If you are proud of your opinions tahn put your name behind them.
You say you are a Democrat and a resident of the 21st Ward. You may or may not be. Man up and stand behind your statements.
Just to clarify
I am not now a resident of your ward - although I was for many years.
As I said earlier, your macho posturing doesn't mean shit to me. As far as I'm concerned, all it does is look pathetic.
And from what I've seen from your responses on this site, you've haven't displayed any "man up" behavior anyway.
Quite the opposite: (1) You bragged about your power and how people need to suck up to you if they want to get elected, (2) you've shown a double standard - such as when you said that if others can't fill out a form correctly they don't deserve to be elected and then didn't apply the same standard to politicians you support (just one of a few example), and (3) You level cheap shots and then whine when asked to be accountable (or come up with the lame excuse that you don't need to be accountable because I post annonymously).
There are YPPers that support your "progressive" bona fides. I guess that's worth something. But be that as it may, from what I've seen on this site you have all the attributes that give the Democratic Party in Philly a bad name.
Disagree
Well we just disagree.
It isn't personal anomosity, Lou
I agree that I opened the door to making it personal by the way I originally brought up the slugging incident, and for that I do apologize.
But I really do think there's a larger issue at play here. You're a representative of a Party that, for all it's legitimate representation of labor and a diverse constituency, has also represented a lot of what's bad in politics, and specifically is known for disturbing strong-arm tactics. For that reason I'm going to have questions when I read in the paper that a fight broke out and a ward leader slugged someone because of an argument about challenges to Party incumbents. The fact that you seem to think that is illegitimate for me to have such questions seems to me to be emblematic of how out of touch the Party can be.
I'm looking to see leaders from within the Party that feel it is their job to answer questions and to explain, if it is the case, how people are living under misperceptions. But much of what I've seen from Party leaders of all levels on this site, all of whom I frequently agree with about politics, is characterized by defensiveness, condescension, and a sense of entitlement. That doesn't seem like leadership to me. If someone wants to be a leader, then they should suck it up an lead by example.
Take that for what it's worth. If, because I choose to remain anonymous on this site you feel that my perspective is irrelevant, so be it.
Example
I feel I do lead by example. When my phone rings all hours of the day or night to help people with problems, that is my example. When I work 60 hours a week helping workers join unions so they can be part of the American dream that is my example. When I coach youth sports and act as an advocate for my neighborhood and my athletic association and have taught hundreds of kids to fish in my life that is my example. When I make it possible that every polling place is open and staffed on election day, and have all but one handicap accessible, that is my example. I help prevent my neighborhood from having every piece of green area having something built on and make sure all building is done Union I am leading by example. When I get grants for the business district and my AA that is my example. I spend most of my life working for this Party and my Union. I feel I lead by example.
Fair enough, but
Those are all leading by example as an individual (and to some degree as a leader in the Party). And again, you're making it personal. But I was referring to openness and accountability as a leader of the Party.
You have expressed surprise that some people are distrustful of Party leaders, and angry they automatically attribute negative motivations. And in that you are not alone, I can recall specific instances where Goode, Kenney, and Cohen all were offended that people would question their motivations.
I just don't get that. In fact, it astounds me. From where I sit, there is ample reason for people to make such assumptions. And for that reason, I think that Party leaders need to do a much better job of going way beyond the minimum to establish trust. You should expect people to challenge you, and prove your mettle rather than responding as if you're under seige. As leaders, you opt to put yourself in a position where your motivations will be, and in fact should be, questioned.
I've asked you how you justify your support of Carol Campbell, and you haven't responded. Do you seriously think that someone who has been convicted twice of campaign violations shouldn't have to justify her candidacy? That's the kind of thing I'm talking about.
Carol Campbell
I do support Carol Campbell and I will explain why. You can all ready your barbs.
1. Carol Campbell puts the needs of neighborhoods first and foremost. She gives civic associations and neighborhood groups real input into zoning.
2. Carol Campbell has done much to bring minorities and women into powerful positions in this Party.
3. Carol Campbell always made developers who built in the District and her ward give something to the community.
4. Carol campbell is one of the smartest people I know in politics.
5. I am a member of a Party. To make a party strong you support each other.
6. Carol Campbell has devoted her life to the Party.
I'll let others who know more about them
respond to your other points. I hope people do respond, given the amount of grief Campbell gets here at YPP.
But I'll respond to #5:
Loyalty has it's place, but blind loyalty does not make a party strong, in the quality of strength I'm looking for in my government. You're a coach, so you should know that the winning sports teams are those where the players are supported by management, but also where the starting lineup is regularly challenged by rookies. Studies of sports teams generally show that championship teams are not the ones where there is total unanimity of perspective and everyone holds hands and sings Kumbaya, but where dissension and diversity of opinion are worked through. The Philly Democratic Party reminds me of the Phillies with mediocre players under long-term contract.
If the Philly Democratic Party had a proven record of getting the job done then I think your party loyalty would have more meaning to me. Hey, I like this City, but in my opinion, in general, it has not been well-served by the Democratic Party leadership. Bottom line.
????
Commodore Barry School;
Rivage Site on Ridge Ave.;
Failing to attend any candidate forums in the district?
Attorney General charges against her for PAC problems?
Enough said.
Lists about Carol Campbell are fun
1) Twice convicted of breaking campaign finance laws. Apparently didn't bother to pay the fines until she was forced to in order to get on the Ward leaders' November 2006 ballot.
2) First act on council: Holds up the building of the Commodore Barry school to try to have it renamed after her father.
3) Won't attend candidate forums in the 4th district. Sends ward leaders in her place.
Great leader. Really, she's a gem for the 4th district.
Commodore Barry
Check out the facts. The school renaming was Michael Nutter's idea.
Read the transcript from the Zoning Board hearing
She and her staff pushed for it and held up construction. Michael Nutter did not hold up the construction.
D.E. II: Philadelphia is well known for smash-mouth democracy
It's what makes politics here fun. Ed Rendell was involved in far more physical altercations (mostly with reporters) over the years than "Lights Out" Lou. That sort of thing, assuming it doesn't happen all the time, shouldn't be considered a fatal flaw for office holders.
"smash-mouth democracy"?
Philadelphia is also well known for corruption and inefficiency. That doesn't make these qualities admirable.
Not buyin'
If I try real hard I guess I can invision scenarios where a Party leader might justifiably get involved in a dustup, but I'm certainly not going to default to such an assessment. I can't judge a situation where I don't have the all the details, but if Lou doesn't give me additional information, I can only go by what I've read in the papers: that it was both literally and figuratively a Party leader forcibly resisting challenges to incumbents. My default is that without more information, it is a big time fatal flaw, not the least because you have absolutely no credibility in promoting anti-violence policies if you're in the middle of giving a beatdown to someone you have a disagreement with.
I use similar reasoning to default to the conclusion that someone convicted twice of campaign violations should not be endorsed by the Party. Lou did respond on that issue, so I have more information to go on. That's one of the things I'm asking for: information, so I can make a informed decisions.
Really??
When did Rendell slug somebody in the face and knock them out?
Smash-mouth democracy might make politics here fun to watch (from a columnist and his readers perspectives), but it also means that some people who live in or near the 21st Ward will remain anonymous on blogs because they fear that Lou will punch them in the face if they run into him in the neighborhood or at a politcal function. It would be one thing if we were kids on a playground, but I'm assuming most posters on YPP are adults and don't need that kind of hassle.
That might make Lou more
That might make Lou more popular among certain readers.
---
http://benwaxman.com
I heard that Lou Agre hit
I heard that Lou Agre hit Jimmy Johnson in the head with a snowball at the old Vet.
I wish
If I did I would be proud
Santa
I heard he booed Santa Claus at Franklin Field because the reindeer weren't teamsters. Say it ain't so, Lou!
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
— Margaret Mead
Seth
Who did he punch?
I know that it was someone from Local 98, right? Well, without knowing more of the story I'm willing to at least entertain the thought that he slugged some loud mouth bully. I don't know any members of IBEW Local 98, but they
But, since I don't actually know anyone from the local personally, and because people get all sorts of reputations that they don't deserve (I mean, I heard rumor that I had a that I had a loud mouth and a short fuse, isn't that ridiculous?), I can't say if the person Lou punched was being a bully. But, if Lou did punch a bully, than I doubt that most people in this city would mind, myself included.
I work for Damon K. Roberts in his run for City Council. Unless otherwise stated this and every comment by myself is the opinion of myself, and not of Damon or any other candidate, organization, committee, etc.
Lou slugged Ira Shrager.....
a lawyer for IBEW who has run for judge, not one of the IBEW thugs who intimidates people on election day. Here are a few paragraphs from the Dave Davies article on the incident:
"Punch-out of pol is latest event in Brady-Doc rift" from www.phillynews.com
By DAVE DAVIES
daviesd@phillynews.com 215-854-2595
"Some tension is anticipated these days when Philadelphia Democrats gather, but you don't expect to see somebody carried out on a stretcher.
Think again. Lou Agre, Democratic leader of the 21st Ward in Roxborough, slugged attorney Ira Shrager, of Electricians' Local 98, in the head outside a hearing room yesterday, witnesses said, leaving Shrager unconscious on the floor for several minutes.
Shrager was taken by paramedics to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where he was treated and released.
Did he ever get charged with
Did he ever get charged with assault?
Your standards are so flexible, Lou.
You discount anonymous comments when it suits you, but have no problem accepting any anonymous comments at all about Tom Knox. It's the funniest thing - all the people who say nasty things about him insist on speaking off the record, and all the people who say good things are on the record. I wonder why.
Reporters often ask me for the names and phone numbers of his supporters, and I supply them. Some of them are department heads who reported to him while he was deputy mayor, and no longer work for the city. I wonder why they would say nice things about him if they didn't have to?
My sources
See Buzz Bissinger's book, where Tom Knox is not mentioned and Dave Davies profile in the Daily News where 12 of fourteen department heads said negative things about him.
The reason they say nice thing, if they do, is they know his reputaion for vindictiveness and may worry about the unlikely event he wins.
So you read a book which doesn't mention him...
And a newspaper article, and now you're an expert. That's all it takes?
I'm sure this is nowhere near as authoritative as your expert opinion, but I work for the guy - and I actually like him. And no, I don't get paid to say that. I'm only paid to do my job.
Yes I read a book
Where are his personal and organizational endorsemnts. If you said you did not like him would you still get paid.
You say I do not have enough info yet you have none to rebut it. This is like the "We don't pay people to circulate petitions" statement. You never said you didn't do it, just that it does not work.
Are we supposed to pretend...
That union endorsements are made in a political vacuum? That they have nothing whatsoever to do with favors done and favors expected? Maybe a lot of people see Tom's lack of endorsements as a positive. They might be ready for someone to put the well-being of the entire city above a fragmented coalition of special interests fighting for a piece of the pie. You never know.
Lou, this may come as a shock to you and to the rest of the posters on YPP, but the Philadelphia voters I meet have had it with politics as usual. Yes, they may like you and enjoy the things you do for them in your ward, but they've had it with the circle of friends that dominates the city. They're tired of seeing Democratic officials indicted - and they're tired of trying to figure out whose butt they have to kiss to get the simplest things done at City Hall.
They're also sick of seeing people gunned down in the streets. They don't know how it can be stopped, but they don't have much faith that the party regulars are up to the job.
You think union endorsements are enough to override that this year. I'm guessing eh, not so much.
This may come as a shock to you...
YPP posters would be shocked that Philly voters have had it with politics as usual in the city? Come on!
We're not saying that the city doesn't need a change, but Knox is seeming more and more like a snake oil salesman by the day. He may end up being a reformer, but what in his past says that he will do anything that is either moral or reform minded? He may help to balance the city's check books, but his past screams that he will do it on the back of the poorest members of the city.
I work for Damon K. Roberts in his run for City Council. Unless otherwise stated this and every comment by myself is the opinion of myself, and not of Damon or any other candidate, organization, committee, etc.
or..
That nobody from that administration has stood up and supported Knox. If I recall, didn't he just work out some better lease deals? And also, if he was such a super-deputy mayor, why wouldn't Rendell back him? Weird, right?
I was there.
I started in public office in 1992. I started serving in city council with the Rendell Administration. I worked with all of the members of the Rendell Administration on the serious issues affecting the city over eight years. I never knew or met Knox.
He was kind of a hanger-on rich guy that I heard they let hang around to write a campaign check or whatever.
No substance then or now.
www.jameskenney.com
www.311forphilly.com
Willing to share your
Willing to share your thoughts on Michael Nutter?
Yes.
Smart, honest, hard working and a friend.
ww.jameskenney.com
www.311forphilly.com
seriously???
You know, it's really too bad that Kenney's campaign finance bill did not get passed. I would have really enjoyed seeing such testimonials in a TV commercials.
Camera fades in, Kenney looks straight into the camera and with gravitas states "I was there... "
The spot ends with some evil voice stating "Tom Knox - No substance then or now."
Damn, we are missing out.
______________________________
Phillyville
It's called a "PAC" or a "501(c)4"
How much money did the George Bush campaign spend on the Swiftboat ads?
I have no idea what the deal is with non-profits and elections in the city, but unless they are drastically different than at the federal level than why can't someone just start up a n-p set up specifically to educate the voters on how the candidates stand on Payday loans and no-bid contracts? (Ok, the second is probably a little too broad, since I'm guessing more than one of the candidates have their hand in that cookie jar).
I work for Damon K. Roberts in his run for City Council. Unless otherwise stated this and every comment by myself is the opinion of myself, and not of Damon or any other candidate, organization, committee, etc.
Alex makes a great point
Yes -- at least at the national level, as long as the ad doesn't say, "Vote for ____" or "____ for mayor," it's an issue ad. Or so various episodes of "The West Wing" tell me. It would probably look funny if money came from the city committee, but you could raise it independently.
"City Officials For Truth." It's not bad.
I concur
And due to flawed "campaign finance reform" he can outspend them all... Personally, I'd rather have it be "the wild west" with no restrictions for now (b/c anybody but Knox would win: he is last on my list) and then pass a comprehensive bill after the election. Knox scares me... Seriously, I rank him last out of all the candidates...
Does Tom Knox Even Like Poor People?
Susan,
Does Tom Knox even like poor people? He made a lot of money preying on desperate folks with his payday loans. Unfortunately, Philadelphia has too many poor inhabitants.
Bob Brady would like to change that by bringing in new businesses by cutting the BPT and reducing the wage tax. Further he would like to use education to provide a more capable work force. More vocational training would be available for those who don't want to go to college. Partnerships with businesses woould allow other ways to provide additional job opportunities.
Bob Brady aranged for another win - win situation by getting the Carpenters and Plumbers Unions to start rehabiliting wrecked housing while Union apprentices get trained.
Knox loves poor people...
Who else would be desperate enough to pay a 400% apr on a loan?
I work for Damon K. Roberts in his run for City Council. Unless otherwise stated this and every comment by myself is the opinion of myself, and not of Damon or any other candidate, organization, committee, etc.
Also Health Care
Knox was also one of the most aggressive in kicking poor people off of health care in the industry! The appeals are public record. He has a track record of using poor people to get ahead, and then throwing them away.
Yes, he grew up in the projects. But he's never looked back, except with resentment. Hmm...I bet the people all look so small from the windows of his massive condo on Rittenhouse Square.
Alex, Ladies and Gentlemen
He'll be here all week! Don't forget to tip your waitresses.
Knox and Pensions
Tom Knox was one of the first to see the use of 401(k)s and the profit in selling them to big companies. The end result of this is people lost traditional defined benmefit pensions(employer paid for) and now have piddly savings plans instead.