Poltical Notebook

YAP Boys Get Busy

When Eric Weinberg and David Urban began the Young American PAC (YAP), they had no idea six years later that the organization would still be alive and kicking.

And kicking it was Monday night at Finnegan’s Wake, a Northern Liberties tavern complex, where Weinberg and Urban were honored for their efforts at a $50-a-head fundraiser.

YAP is a non-partisan PAC that was designed to get professionals in the 25-to-40 age group involved in politics. Not an easy task because most young people could care less about politics. Weinberg and Urban saw a need to get them involved.

Weinberg, a Democrat, is the nephew of 1999 Democratic mayoral candidate Marty Weinberg. He was the budget and policy analyst for the State Senate Appropriations Committee and later went to work as the special assistant for Auditor General Bob Casey, Jr. He now is a partner in Hill Solutions, a Washington based lobbying firm whose clients include Disney and Sunoco.

Urban, a Republican, was a bond attorney for Ballard, Spahr, Andrews and Ingersoll and played squash with U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter. His skills on the court must have impressed Specter because he is now the senior senator’s chief of staff.

Since taking that position, Urban can no longer be involved with PACs. And Weinberg is too busy as a lobbyist.

Chris Dezzi and John Hawkins are now taking YAP’s reins. Dezzi presented Weinberg with a silver engraved platter last night at Finnegan’s. Urban was tied up in Washington.

Dezzi is a survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He is a political consultant with his mother Eleanor Dezzi, who is a campaign adviser to District Attorney Lynne Abraham. His father, Al Dezzi, is in charge of special projects for Bob Casey, Jr.

Hawkins is the legislative director for State Sen. Vincent Fumo and Councilman Jim Kenney. Both Dezzi and Hawkins are recently engaged.

Weinberg said that YAP could not have better leadership than Dezzi and Hawkins.

What’s next for YAP? The organization will continue to host "Grip and Grins" where elected officials come to speak candidly to YAP members. And there will be regular fundraisers for extensive networking. YAP is looking toward next year’s gubernatorial race. They intend to give money out of their three-figure war chest to a candidate.

"I like Bob Casey," said YAP board member Christy Adams, a trial lawyer with Stampone, D’Angelo and Renzi. "But of course I can only speak for myself."

YAP’s website is www.YoungAmericaPAC.org.

It All Comes Out in the Wash

Democratic Common Pleas Court candidate Ron Sharper has seen better days.

Despite being endorsed by the party and despite heavy-hitting sponsors in his camp, he lost last week’s primary election. Sharper came in number 12 out of 11 spots for Common Pleas Court. This was the fourth time he was running for judge.

Common Pleas Court candidate George Overton inched out Sharper.

Sharper was on his way down to the County Board of Elections to take a look at the votes yesterday. "I am considering a re-count," he said.

Dennis Kelly, the election supervisor, was at the Election Board yesterday doing the official count of the entire election. The election is not final until the count takes place and is certified.

Sharper and Overton are both African-American and Overton was also endorsed by the party. Democratic City Committee secretary Carol Campbell and Clerk of Quarter Sessions Vivian Miller supported Sharper. Both are ward leaders.

Campbell was recently indicted by Attorney General Mike Fisher for failing to file campaign expense reports and for the illegal disbursement and receipt of election money during judicial elections in 1997 and 1999. Three other ward leaders were also named. The ward leaders pleaded not guilty.

Fisher’s actions apparently have left little or no impact on Campbell’s ability as a ward leader to turn out the vote. She also sponsored other judicial candidates as well as District Attorney Lynne Abraham who beat challenger Alex Talmadge in the primary.

Prominent local Democrats feel that Campbell, along with Bob McGowan, George Brooks, and the Rev. Randall McCaskill will all be acquitted and that the Republican Fisher is just grandstanding because he wants to run for governor next year.

Overton’s support comes from Councilman Michael Nutter, who is leader of the 52nd Ward. This was his first time running for judge.

The vote was so close between Sharper and Overton that both want a closer look.

Brenda Singleton is Overton’s campaign manager. She said she had not heard that Sharper was going to challenge the vote count. "Nothing can be done until the official count of the entire election is final," she said. "We are optimistic for victory and we intend to keep that victory."