How Rich Can They Get?

Republicans remain optimistic while the mayoral candidates distance themselves from the troubled Streets.

by Mary F. Patel

Despite losing the House and Senate in D.C. and one of their houses in Harrisburg to the Democrats, state Republicans appeared to be optimistic at a Nov. 29 fundraiser for Montgomery County Commissioner Thomas Jay Ellis, who is running for re-election next year. Cocktails were flowing at the crowded Union League event, although some key Montgomery County politicos on the host committee, such as candy magnate Bob Asher and county GOP chairman Ken Davis, were missing due to scheduling conflicts.

The three-member Montgomery County Commission elected Ellis, a partner in the public finance department at Ballard Spahr, as chair earlier this year after previous chairman Jim Matthews temporarily stepped aside to run for lieutenant governor. Insiders said that Matthews had hoped he would get his chairmanship back after the Nov. 7 general election, but that was not to be. (Matthews and GOP gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann lost to incumbent Democrats Ed Rendell and Catherine Baker Knoll.)

The commissioners wield power, influence and the ability to get a lot of people hired; they control a $500 million budget in one of the state's most affluent counties. Particularly important is the Republican majority control over the commission. Ellis and Matthews are Republican, and Ruth Damsker is a Democrat. (A Democrat must have at least one seat.)

More than $100,000 was raised at the event organized by Judith Camiel, an up-and-coming key GOP fundraiser.

Of the two hotly contested GOP-held congressional seats in the 'burbs last month, only incumbent Jim Gerlach retained his seat over his Democratic challenger, Lois Murphy; freshman Bucks County U.S. Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick lost to Democrat Patrick Murphy. Fitzpatrick attended the fundraiser and is expected to work in a law firm.

Is Gina Lollobrigida a Republican? The buxom 79-year-old film goddess made an appearance at the Ellis affair on the arm of Amato Berardi, chairman of the National Italian American Political Action Committee. In town to promote her sculpture for a future show, Lollobrigida said that of all the sexpot actors she worked with, her favorite was Rock Hudson.

Lollobrigida, a real party girl, also made an appearance Friday night at the Uwishunu party held in a former furniture gallery at Third and Filbert streets. —Hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC), the reception was the third in a series to entice Philly types to reveal cool things to outsiders about the city. Bloggers were invited to post their picks for the best of the city, which was billed as an insider's look at what's hot. Free wine and beer were served along with retro tunes, courtesy of renowned DJ Robert Drake. More than 600 people packed the joint.

GPTMC spokesman Jeff Guaracino, who was part of the team that devised catchy tourism slogans like "Philly's More Fun When You Sleep Over" and "Keep Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay," said that the results of Uwishunu will be announced on Jan. 5 at FUEL Gallery in Old City. More bloggers are needed, so go to www.uwishunu.com if you're interested.

Word on the Streets

With the recent new allegations of corruption surrounding John Street — his brother Milton was indicted on tax evasion charges and for a bogus job at Philadelphia International Airport — the city's mayoral candidates may want to distance themselves from the Street name.

Former Councilman Michael Nutter, who always hawked a reform agenda when he was in City Council and was never an ally of the mayor, is trying a new tool at his fundraiser.

Billed as a "fun and provocative film event," Nutter will show filmmaker Tigre Hill's documentary Shame of City, the in-your-face celluloid of the 2003 mayor's race between the incumbent Democrat Street and the GOP third-time challenger Sam Katz.

The documentary highlights the fed-planted bug "accidentally" found in Street's office a month before the election and the incredible Karl Rove-like spin crafted by Democratic consultants and politicians, who blamed George Bush and John Ashcroft for the federal investigation.

The $20 dollar per ticket ($250 for high rollers) happening will occur Dec. 13 at the Prince Theater.

Hill said other candidates were willing to pay him big bucks to use his doc to advance their agenda, but Hill chose to let Nutter use it at what he called "a reduced rate." Hill would not elaborate on which candidates wanted to use the film. Hill, a Republican, is endorsing Democrat Nutter for mayor.

Nutter said Shame shows how badly reform is needed in the city. "This is not Hollywood and these are not actors," he said. "What happened was real."

(rcpatel@aol.com)