Philadelphia City Council held a public budget hearing April 29 at Lincoln High School. Photo/Shannon McDonald

With the exception of one outburst from the audience early on about Philadelphia City Council members not listening closely enough to public testimony, Monday night’s city budget hearing at Lincoln High School was otherwise calm. Raised voices were saved mostly for support for those pleading with Council for better services and more funding.

The meeting, one of a handful around the city designed to bring public budget testimony to those who can’t make it to Council chambers on a weekday afternoon, was led by Council President Darrell Clarke, D-5th. He was joined by Republican Councilmen at-large Denny O’Brien and David Oh, Councilmen Bobby Henon, D-6th; and Mark Squilla, D-1st; and Councilwoman Cindy Bass, D-8th. All but Clarke are first-term council members. continue reading »

Plaques honoring the five new Hall of Fame members line a wall in Holy Family’s Education & Technology Center. Photo/Shannon McDonald

More than 200 people opted to spend a sunny Sunday indoors for what, for many, was an emotional Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

“The average Philadelphian probably doesn’t think of ‘Northeast Philadelphia’ and ‘history’ in the same sentence,” Hall of Fame project director Jack McCarthy said as he took the microphone inside Holy Family University’s Education and Technology Center.

Since 2009, that’s what the Hall of Fame ceremonies have aimed to do – get people thinking about the Northeast’s history and how its major players have impacted not just the region, but the city, and even beyond the country. Some of the 2012 inductees have had a global impact. continue reading »

Councilman Denny O'Brien announces the 2012 Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame inductees. Photo/Rebecca Haegele

On October 21, Northeast Philadelphians will gather at Holy Family University. They’ll eat h’ordeuvres, listen to classical music and meet the historians who can answer almost any query about the region’s history.

They’ll be there as four people and seven houses of worship are added to a growing list of  Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame inductees. The new class of members was announced yesterday Holy Family, with President Sr. Francesca Onley and steering and selection committee members in attendance. continue reading »

Dave Kralle at the November 2011 Parkwood Civic Association meeting. Photo/Shannon McDonald

If you go to your neighborhood civic association meeting, chances are you know Dave Kralle. Holme Circle, Bustleton, Parkwood – the residents there know the aide to Councilman Denny O’Brien by name. Before O’Brien’s election to Council, Kralle worked for him at the state level when O’Brien served the 169th Legislative District.

The rest of the city got to meet Kralle earlier this year during O’Brien’s campaign for Council-at-large. Average height, on the thin side and always in a suit and tie, Kralle is as recognizable to district constituents as O’Brien is. That’s likely to work to his advantage if Kralle enters a bid for the now-vacant 169th District seat.

“Denny wants me to run for his old seat in the House of Representatives,” Kralle announced at last night’s Holme Circle Civic Association. continue reading »

6th District Councilman Bobby Henon in an April 2011 interview with NEast Philly. Photo/Saleem Ahmed

When asked back in October if he’d accept a city-issued car if re-elected to City Council, 10th District Councilman Brian O’Neill said he would.

“I need it more than anyone,” he said, because of the district’s distance from City Hall. He added that he’d support legislation to remove car privileges for all city employees.

O’Neill, who was re-elected, still has his car and the pool car assigned to his staff. So do Northeast incumbents 7th District Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez and 9th District Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco. continue reading »

New Philadelphia Councilman-at-large Denny O'Brien and 7th District Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez

Some things won’t be changing in Philadelphia City Council. Tenth District Councilman Brian O’Neill retained his seat as a Republican despite a challenge from Democrat Bill Rubin, and O’Neill also still holds his seat as minority leader.

But other things will change. With six new members and a new president, council had some committee holes to fill as newcomers Denny O’Brien, Bobby Henon, David Oh, Cindy Bass, Mark Squilla and Kenyatta Johnson were sworn in. continue reading »

Pennsylvania's redistricting map shows the current location of the 169th District (in green) and its new location (in blue).

Just like the City of Philadelphia’s councilmanic district, Pennsylvania moves it legislative districts around every 10 years. This time around, the Northeast stands to lose an entire district.

The 169th Legislative District, currently represented by Rep. Denny O’Brien, will move to the growing York County under the new plan. O’Brien, who told NEast Philly back in November, ”This redistricting proposal is not good for the Northeast or the Republican Party,” will no longer hold the House seat, anyway. He’s been elected to hold one of the Republican City Council-at-large seats in Philadelphia.

In the video below, see O’Brien’s aide Dave Kralle explain to the Parkwood Civic Association how the transfer will affect some of O’Brien’s former constituents.

The re-opening of the Holme Avenue Bridge was one of the main discussion points at the October Holme Circle Civic Association meeting. Photo by Stephen Schultz.

The Holme Circle Civic Association held its annual “Meet the Candidates Night” during its monthly meeting on Wednesday at St. Jerome’s School Hall.

The local candidates in attendance were City Councilman Brian O’Neill and Democratic challenger Bill Rubin; Democratic at-large Councilman Jim Kenney represented by his aide, John DelRica; Republican candidates Denny O’Brien and Michael Untermeyer; and Republican candidate for City Commissioner Al Schmidt represented by his aide, Steven Boc. Each candidate was given five minutes to expound on their platforms culminating with questions from the 40 member audience. continue reading »

From left, Northeast GOP candidates for city council-at-large: Al Taubenberger, Denny O'Brien, Joe McColgan. Photo by Pamela Seaton.

With the fall election season underway seven City Council At-Large candidates came together recently at the WHYY studio for a political debate that, considering the stakes of the upcoming election, was a testament to measured, thoughtful politics. With seven participants in attendance – five Republicans and two Democrats – the debate covered everything from Occupy Philadelphia to the transparency of government to specific questionable activities of each candidate.

Three of the candidates – Dennis O’Brien, Al Taubenberger and Joe McColgan – have certain characteristics in common: they’re all Republicans and they all come from the Northeast. They all have a specific plan that stems from their experience in their home districts, whether it be education reforms or plans for rejuvenating local businesses. continue reading »

State Rep. Denny O'Brien (center) announced bipartisan endorsements for his city council campaign from Democratic Reps. Brendan (left) and Kevin (right) Boyle.

State Rep. Denny O’Brien Friday announced bipartisan endorsement from Reps. Brendan and Kevin Boyle concerning his candidacy for City Council At-Large.

The announcement took place late afternoon at Poquessing Creek Park in the heart of Parkwood, which both Brendan Boyle and O’Brien represent. Supporters driving past the park honked in support of O’Brien, while others actually pulled over to shake his hand.

“I am proud to stand here,” said Brendan Boyle during the announcement. “O’Brien is one the finest people in public service.”

Both Boyles acknowledged the rarity of bipartisan support, but made it clear their endorsement was about the candidate, not the political party. continue reading »