Political Notebook

by Mary F. Patel

Such a Seamus?

Local and state Republicans continue to have a field day since their statewide election victories last week. Republicans took all of the appellate court spots, which include three seats on Superior Court, three on Commonwealth Court and the one coveted seat on the Supreme Court.

Now that Republicans control the Supreme Court, will they keep Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Seamus McCaffery as administrative judge?

The administrative judges in the lower county courts are appointed by the Supremes.

McCaffery, a Democrat, is close with U.S. Rep. and Philadelphia Democratic Party Chairman Bob Brady. Before the election, when the Supreme Court had more Democrats, McCaffery was appointed as the administrative judge and replaced Judge Robert Blasi.

No word yet on McCaffery’s status. No date when Superior Court Judge Michael Eakin, the Republican who won the one Supreme seat, will take his oath.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John P. Flaherty, a Democrat, is retiring, and his last day is Dec. 31.

Republican Justice Ron Castille will now have executive power in Philadelphia instead of Democrat Justice Russell Nigro. Both were Philadelphia attorneys, and now Castille will decide all of the judicial appointments in the city right down to the court criers.

And as Republicans prevail, where are they in their mission of taking over the Philadelphia Parking Authority?

Last summer, Republican Majority Leader John Perzel orchestrated moves for the state to take over the Democratic patronage haven that takes in millions in revenue. Perzel’s plan called for the authority to fund the financially ailing Philadelphia school system.

Obra Kernodle, the newly appointed general counsel for the authority, said the matter is in the hands of the Supreme Court. The city filed a lawsuit against the state last July and the case is now in the Supreme Court to decide which court has jurisdiction.

High Society

Republicans are getting ready for all the parties and receptions during the Pennsylvania Society’s annual meeting. The action runs Dec. 6-9 in New York City at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel on Park Avenue. The main event is Saturday evening, when the society will convene for its 103rd annual black-tie dinner.

Frank J. Pasquerilla, a philanthropist and founder of Crown American developers, will be presented posthumously the Distinguished Citizen of the Commonwealth Award, and Michael Novak, former U.S. ambassador, will receive the Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement.

During the weekend, there will be an overdose of parties and receptions.

The Republican Initiative will honor Majority Leader Perzel in its first annual award ceremony and reception to be held prior to the Pennsylvania Society dinner.

Real estate mogul Gary Silvi, chairman of the Initiative, said the award will go to an outstanding Republican who has shown leadership.

Republican Initiative is a four-year-old organization that consists of relatively young GOP professionals and promotes awareness of Republican candidates and party inclusion.

Other board members include Sean Reilly, state director for U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, and attorneys Michael Tierney and Elizabeth Preate.

All of next year’s gubernatorial candidates are expected to have parties in New York that weekend.

It is rumored that the really big shoo is Ed Rendell’s event at the Waldorf at 9 p.m. on Saturday after the formal dinner. Rendell’s special guest will be his close and personal friend Bill Clinton, and more than a 1,000 are expected at this invitation-only soiree.

Absolutely Fabulous

Rendell’s old crowd showed up last week for a fundraiser for Gay Bingo at the home of Dee Kaplan and her husband, Bob Poore. Kaplan was a Rendell appointee and headed up the Mayor’s Business Action Team. She is now the senior vice president for employer services at the Philadelphia Workforce Development Corp.

Gay Bingo is held monthly at the Gershman Y at Broad and Pine streets and has become increasingly more popular over the years. Proceeds of Gay Bingo benefit the AIDS Fund.

The event at Kaplan’s last Monday night was to raise money for new lingerie for the Bingo Verifying Divas (BVDs).

The BVDs, who are men, dress up as divas and Rollerblade throughout the game to verify the bingo winners.

And they need new intimate accessories.

Let’s face it, lingerie is not cheap. A decent bra costs at least $35, and girdles and body shapers can run as much as $100. And that’s for women’s sizes.

"We are Gay Bingo," said Ralph Orr, who is one of the three main BVDs.

He becomes Penny Nickels at Bingo.

The other two main divas are Vince Root, a.k.a. Ida Slapter, and Michael Rossi, who becomes Rhonda Block.

Orr wants it clear that the BVDs are not drag queens.

"We do not perform anywhere else," he said. "And, unlike a drag queen, we do not shave. We did try it once, but never again."

More than $2,000 dollars was raised that night, and donations may be made out to the PWDC AIDS Fund and sent in care of Dee Kaplan to 1420 Locust St., #26K, Philadelphia, PA 19102.

In other gay news, Douglas Shaps has been named executive director of OutFront, the newly progressive education and lobbying nonprofit organization that focuses on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered communities.