September 25-October 1, 2003

city beat

The Heart of the Matter

TORN: Though their restaurant is in the heart of a traditional Democratic stronghold in South Philly, Al and Terry Masino are leaning toward Katz in November. Photo By: Michael T. Regan

In South Philly, allegiances are shifting.

by Deborah Bolling

For decades, Passyunk Avenue was considered the heart and soul of South Philadelphia and the cityís most thriving commercial and entertainment hub. In more ways than one, the avenue cuts diagonally along the grid of South Philadelphiaís tiny streets. While the community itself now stretches all the way to the Schuylkill River and has a diverse population, the Philadelphians whoíve traditionally lived and worked along Passyunk were old-world Italians and loyal Democrats. Now, however, in nearly every storefront window along this ancient corridor, the signs say that change is in the air.

Al and Terry Masino were both born and raised in Philadelphia. They married 38 years ago, and brought up their sons in this neighborhood. In 1994, they opened RoseLena's Coffee Bar, an eclectic Passyunk Avenue establishment offering savory food, sweet desserts and strong Italian coffee. Part of what makes the Masinos an interesting couple is that Al always votes Republican while his wife is a long-standing Democrat.

Like a number of other storefronts on this block, a "Democrats for Katz" political poster sits in the Masinos' shop window, while a "Sam Katz for Mayor" sign is propped against a wall inside.

"To me, Democrat or Republican is just the name of a party," Terry says. "I'm a Democrat, so I have to vote Democrat? That's part of the attitude that's killing us in Philadelphia."

Late last year, Mayor Street signed into legislation the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District (BID). Al Masino is the organization's first president. While he recognizes that business district improvements have happened in areas like Manayunk and Center City, Al feels those efforts have stopped just short of reaching Passyunk Avenue.

"What I've seen is complete indifference in the Street administration," he says. "People are moving out of Philadelphia like gangbusters because there's no business here. The merchants on this block feel like we've been browbeaten. We represent Philadelphia's tax base -- but we're being taken for granted. In my opinion, [former Mayor and current Pennsylvania Gov. Ed] Rendell had a lot more interest in what was going on here than Street does. John Street may be about åneighborhoods,' but not this one."

Al says he'll cast his vote this Election Day for someone whom he believes takes business as seriously as he does: Sam Katz.

His wife, Terry, says it's time that voters focus on what's best for the city. Like her husband, Terry plans to cast a ballot for the Republican challenger come November.

"We're not blaming John Street solely, but he's added to the dismay of this city," she says. "Now, we're looking for a solution."

A few blocks away at a darkened neighborhood drinking hole on Tasker Street, regulars at the bar guzzle lukewarm lagers with Jim Beam chasers. A television set perched high in a dusty corner delivers snowy images of the day's sporting events. A few customers discuss the upcoming election.

"Street has done a good job for the city," says an old-timer who identifies himself only as Frankie. "Look at what he's done with all those abandoned cars and the drug dealers. That's a good thing. But I want to know what's the deal with that Molotov cocktail? What really happened? And what about that drug dealer he was hugging in the newspaper the other day? Didn't he know better? Things like that make the city look bad and may have put us in a hole."

Frankie's drinking buddy, who doesn't want his name "in any friggin' newspapers," says he believes that the mayoral election is going to be a close one.

"John Street's gonna be hard to beat," he says, taking a long slow drag on a soiled Marlboro. "I usually vote every election, but not this time. What's the point? It doesn't matter what Katz does. Blacks are more than 50 percent in Philadelphia and they're going to vote for [Street] because he's black. Ever see the way they fall out of those churches on Sundays, calling out his name?"

"It's not about race," Frankie says, "but did you see Bill Cosby did a commercial for him?"

"OK. So then who you gonna vote for, Frankie?" the Marlboro man asks.

"Katz," he says, chewing on an ice cube. "But he's gonna lose."

Across town, the Sunday breakfast rush is just winding down at Soul in a Bowl, a down-home restaurant with spotty hours and reliable eats at South 20th and Kater streets. Services at the many churches that dot this side of town ended a few hours earlier, and now, just minutes before 2 p.m., most diners are coming by for takeout orders. The eatery's two cooks and lone waiter seem anxious to close up for the day.

"I think that in a city like Philadelphia, where there are so many Democrats, Street's definitely gonna take it," says a portly young man named Jay. "I can't see how he could lose."

"Street has done more for this city than Katz could ever do," says an older man wearing an apron, who won't offer his name. "Street's been a politician for 20 years. He knows people. He knows how to get things done. Can Katz make that claim? I don't think so."

"Well, I say may the best man win -- and that's it," says Miss Ann, the restaurant's proprietor. "That's all I have to say. May the man who can do the most for this city get the job."

"Yeah," says Jay. "I agree with my grandmother. May the best man win."

The conversation is over.

Around the corner, sitting outside Graduate Hospital, Gloria Bigelow celebrates her birthday with a few friends. A South Philly native recently laid off from her hospital clerical position, Bigelow sees herself as an enthusiastic Street supporter.

"John Street! Yeah! Democrat!" she says, throwing her hands in the air. "Sure, he's got some competition, but he's done so much for this city. Not just as mayor, but all those years he worked at City Hall. Plus, he got a lot of drugs off our streets and that has to count for something. The only problem I see him having is if people don't come out to vote. People say they're going to vote, but on Election Day, they don't make it to the polls. That'll make it tough for him. I'll be there, though. Count on that."

Marianna Sewell, a lawyer and former college professor, has lived in South Philadelphia for 12 years. She's convinced that Philadelphians will be surprised by the election results.

"I think there's going to be an upset and Katz is going to win," she says confidently, sipping coffee at the Broad Street Diner.

Sewell may have her finger on the right pulse. With fewer than six weeks left until Election Day, a recent Temple University/CBS 3/KYW poll shows a six-point lead for Katz. And while the numbers bear out a clear-cut racial dimension (approximately three-quarters of African Americans polled say they are voting for Street, while that same percentage of white voters say they support Katz), political observers citywide contend that Street may be losing ground with his traditional base.

"Street has alienated a lot of people, including the unions," she adds. "Look at the way he handled the Convention Center and the way he dismissed the firefighters when that hepatitis B issue came up. I don’t know him personally, but a lot of people think he’s selfish."

Sewell also points out that although Philadelphia hasn’t elected a Republican mayor since 1947, Katz isn’t your typical Republican.

"Personally, I think Katz is a Democrat at heart," Sewell says. "He has what I’d call the …common touch.’ He likes people. We’re experiencing a renaissance in Philadelphia and I think people just want a good mayor, someone who can carry through on what’s been started. I think that person is Sam Katz. You’ll see."