Mary Frangipanni's Political Notebook

Art of the Deal

Do people in South Philly care much about a candidate from the Northeast running for Council at-large?

Apparently.

Democrat John Sabatina drew quite a crowd last Wednesday at Michael's Restaurant in Bella Vista, where he was making a campaign speech.

The large audience included City Controller and campaign manager Jonathan Saidel and premier ward leader Buddy Cianfrani, who is also helping Sabatina.

An attorney in his own practice, Sabatina has been leader of the 56th Ward in the city's Rhawnhurst neighborhood for the last 18 years.

He and his wife Lisa have a two-month-old son, Blaise.

Sabatina said his campaign priority will be to make city government more responsive to the needs of individuals.

"I've witnessed a decline in much of what the city has to offer," he said, referring to the lack of "basic services that once distinguished the city from the suburbs."

He blamed the city for providing inadequate education and for taxes that encourage wage earners to leave the city.

"The school system is bloated with administrative costs," he said.

"It has 110 administrators and 44 secretaries. [That staff] should be cut by 30 percent and funds used for education."

Sabatina also pledges to lower the city wage tax.

Republicans appear to be fans of Sabatina.

Former State Sen. Bob Rovner was at Michael's, and said he knows Sabatina from his days at Northeast High School.

Center City lawyer David F. Luvara, known for his contributions to Republican candidates, is also supporting Sabatina.

"And I'm supporting Marty Weinberg," said Luvara.

Mayoral candidate Weinberg, meanwhile, was working the room along with invited judicial candidates.

The jurists included Common Pleas candidates Ira Shrager, Steve Kaplan, Steven Laver and John Corcoran and Municipal Court candidate Frank Palumbo.

Sabatina had other City Council at-large candidates come to his soiree, such as Councilman Jim Kenney and Blondell Reynolds-Brown.

Reynolds-Brown is a former legislative aide to U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah and last ran in 1995.

This campaign will be even busier since she now has a two-year-old daughter, Brielle Autumn.

South Philadelphia attorney Michael Caudo was on the scene, and said he is seriously considering running against Councilman Frank DiCicco in the 1st District.

Sabatina's schmoozers also included Councilman Rick Mariano; Matt Myers, aide to Register of Wills Ron Donatucci; Barbara Deeley, aide to Sheriff John Green; former City Council candidate YoAn Kim; man-about-town Joe DiOrio; attorneys Fred Perri Jr. and Arnold Silverstein; and ward leaders George Badame, Sam Rappaport, Tom Johnson, Angel Cruz and Donna Aument.

Kim, recovering from Lyme disease, said he will not run this year. He last ran in 1995 as the only Asian candidate for City Council. He is currently the executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Asian Social Service Center in Olney.

Cruz, an aide to Mariano, is pushing Juan Ramos for Council at-large.

Ramos complained that the Latino community isn't getting enough services from the current Latino leadership—City Councilman Angel Ortiz and his friend and political ally, State Rep. Ben Ramos (no relation).

Ben Ramos lost his 7th Ward seat to Cruz last summer after a bruising battle.

Cruz said the problems in many of the Latino communities are getting worse.

"We have drug problems, squatters and dropouts," said Cruz.

"We need more effective leadership that represents our interests."

He had no criticism for his boss, Mariano, who represents the 7th councilmanic district or for State Sen. Tina Tartaglione.

Cruz thinks he has gathered the support of enough ward leaders to ensure a victory for Juan Ramos.

Both Tom Johnson, 25th Ward leader, and Donna Aument, 33rd Ward leader, said that their neighborhoods have been plagued by a negative image and they want to change that.

"We are tired of being called the 'Badlands,'" said Johnson. "We're working-class people that are proud of our community."

Aument agreed. "Calling us the 'Badlands' is unacceptable," she said. "We work hard to make our neighborhoods safe and clean."

Aument and Johnson said they plan to support Weinberg for mayor.

"He understands our problems," said Johnson.

Victory 99

The Pride of Philadelphia Election Committee (POPEC) will hold its big fundraiser, Friday, Jan. 22, at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel at 17th and Race Streets.

This year's themes are "Victory 99" and "All Politics Are Local."

POPEC has snared U.S. Rep. Barney Frank as the guest speaker.

Other speakers include openly gay national elected officials.

POPEC president Mark Segal says the committee's members have been interviewing mayoral candidates and will make a decision around March after the nominating petition filing date.

Segal says many surprises are planned for the fundraiser.

Cocktails start at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, call 215-985-3166.