Candidate receives threatening message
By Tom Waring
Star Staff Writer
Marty Bednarek, a Democratic candidate in the 6th Councilmanic District race, was sitting in a dentist's chair on Jan. 14 when he heard his cell phone vibrate.
Later, when he listened to the message, he was shocked by what he heard. The unidentified male caller suggested that he could wind up with broken arms and legs if he did not leave the race.
"If you know what's good for you," the caller said, "just drop out of the race."
After listening to the call, which also disparaged U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, Bednarek contacted the police department, which asked Verizon for the caller's phone number. The call, though, was from a restricted number.
Bednarek did not recognize the caller's voice.
"I was in shock," he said of hearing the message. "I couldn't believe someone would leave a message like that. I thought, 'Oh my God, I just got threatened.' "
Because Brady was mentioned, the Capitol police department and the Department of Homeland Security have taken an interest in the call.
"I hope they catch whoever did this," Bednarek said. 'You don't know what nuts are out there today."
Bednarek, a banker and former member of the School Reform Commission, is seeking to replace retiring Democratic Councilwoman Joan Krajewski.
He is expected to face International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98 official Bob Henon in the primary. Sandra Stewart is running as a Republican.
The district includes parts of Port Richmond north Allegheny Avenue and east of Aramingo Avenue, as well as Bridesburg and parts of the Northeast.
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City Councilman Jack Kelly last week announced, as expected, that he would not seek another term.
Kelly, a Republican from Somerton, won an at-large seat in 2003 and was narrowly re-elected in '07. He also represented the 7th Councilmanic District from 1988-91.
Among the accomplishments Kelly cited were crafting legislation ensuring firefighters have protective ear equipment, implementing a program that helps police find missing people who have autism or dementia, voting for business tax cuts and against property tax increases, fighting for better animal care and securing funding for arts and cultural institutions.
Kelly said that, after leaving office, he will spend some of his spare time traveling with his wife, Kathy.
Candidates in the spring primary can start circulating nominating petitions on Feb. 15. The deadline to file is March 8.
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A Municipoll.com survey of 871 likely Democratic primary voters showed that 47 percent would vote to re-elect Mayor Michael Nutter, while 39 percent would back another candidate. The rest were undecided.
Nutter also led in hypothetical, multi-candidate races against Sam Katz, Bill Green, Anthony Williams, Tom Knox, Chaka Fattah, Bob Brady and Dwight Evans.
The mayor had a 52 percent favorable rating, with 32 percent expressing an unfavorable opinion.
Twelve percent said he was doing an excellent job, while 39 percent rated his performance as good. Another 32 percent believe he is doing just fair, while 15 percent think he is doing a poor job.
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The Pennsylvania Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Commission last week released its ratings of potential judicial candidates seeking election to the state's appellate courts in November.
Voters will fill one seat on both Superior Court and Commonwealth Court.
The evaluation process induced interviews with candidates and individuals who have had professional or personal dealings with them.
In the race for Superior Court, the commission deemed Common Pleas Court Judges Paul P. Panepinto, a Philadelphia Republican, and David N. Wecht, an Allegheny County Democrat, as Highly Recommended. Common Pleas Court Judge Paula A. Patrick, a
Philadelphia Democrat, was rated Recommended.Panepinto is also considering a run for Commonwealth Court, along with fellow Philadelphia Republican Johnny J. Butler. Both are Highly Recommended. Butler served as secretary of the state Department of Labor and Industry under Gov. Tom
Ridge and was appointed to Commonwealth Court vacancies in 2008 and '09.Attorneys Gregg I. Adelman of Montgomery County and Anne E. Covey of Bucks County, both Republicans eyeing the Commonwealth Court race, were rated
Recommended.Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or [email protected]
Source: Port Richmond Star, January 27, 2011.