I Thank You

I thank you Democratic Committeewoman Betty Turner

I thank you Democratic Committeewoman Betty Turner for our informative conversation and letting me know about real time data collection that might allow seniors to participate in surveys via cell phones...

Thanks Tom Hutt, 2003 Green Party Candidate for Financially Supporting My Campaign

Thanks Tom Hutt, 2003 Green Party Candidate for Financially Supporting My Campaign!

Thank you Kwami Abdul-Bey of Education Works

Thank you Kwami Abdul-Bey of Education Works Germantown Beacon Center for your tremendous work organizing Morton Community Day this coming May 19th.

I thank the middle school girls at the Springside School for keeping Darfur in our consciousness

I thank the middle school girls at the Springside School for keeping Darfur in our consciousness by holding a walk on Saturday May 12 and by selling their lovely block print greeting cards to raise money to support a school in Northern Dafur... I am about to use the first one this morning, a message of condolence to our cousin's wife who just lost her Mother to cancer. Good comes of what you do, keep it up. From the Springside website:" Walk for Darfur- At Reunions 2007 this weekend, Jennifer Marlowe '89 will be receiving the school's Outstanding Young Alumna Award for her humanitarian work. Jen and two other filmmakers

I thank you State Senator Leanna Washington for introducing yourself as a Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller supporter

  I thank you State Senator Leanna Washington for introducing yourself as a Donna Reed Miller supporter on Sunday April 30, 2007 while I was collecting signatures outside the Superfresh in Chestnut Hill, Market Square. I had been there the day before with supporter Isabelle Buonocore  and had such success that I decided to stop back Sunday. Not wanting another incident like the Acme I had spoken in person during the week with Superfresh store manager Brendan Murphy and gotten his explicit permission. (I was acquainted with Mr. Murphy from before because when I asked for permission for my daughter's girl scout troop to sell cookies outside Mr Murphy not only said sure and let me know other troops were being stationed at the store on other weekends but invited our troop to set up a table inside- very nice because some of the sale days were pretty wintry!)

After about an hour at the Superfresh on Sunday and maybe 25 signatures closer to getting on the ballot, you politely declined saying you were a Donna Reed Miller supporter. I just had to continue the conversation because of the several hundred people I've personally met collecting signatures and at forums where I've speechified, you may have been the only one! So I asked you, "Do you work for her?" thinking that might be one good reason to support her. You indicated you were a State Senator and then I successfully identified you as Leannna Washington. I recalled to you having knocked at your door some years ago when I was trying to organize the neighbors on your block to help with an effort to rehabilitate the vacant eyesore dumping ground at Ivy Hill and Stenton and you indicated that you got the Christmas tree sellers (Chester Schweitzer and company) to take their fence down even though it's not in your district.

A short time later a store employee came out, told me I was interfering with store business and strongly suggested that I collect my petitions on the other side where customers were exiting with their grocery carts. I began to explain that it was not practical to try it there because shoppers are generally making a beeline for their cars, especially if they have perishables that need refrigeration. But before I could explain, the store employee who identified himself as Dan but who would not provide his last name, got in my face and threatened to call the police.  As he hustled me into the drive area I insisted and loudly, "Please, call the police!" He retreated to inside the store and said me to myself, "What the heck: I'LL call the police and tell them I'm being harrassed." And so I did. The police came, talked to me, went inside, talked to whomever, emerged and asked me a few questions for the incident report they were filling out and said it was fine for me to continue. And so I did.

Not long after, Dan emerged from the store with a buddy, we shook hands, and they went off into the parking lot for what seemed like a cigarette break.

Now Mrs. Washington, I don't want to be paranoid, but I do find it a little odd that  I had been collecting signatures for two hours on Saturday and for an hour on Sunday, without incident until shortly after you arrived...

(Photo originally appeared in Chestnut Hill Local here)

I thank you Fred Voigt for not signing my petition to get on the ballot

I thank you Fred Voigt for not signing my petition to get on the ballot for City Council in the 8th District while we were standing outside the train station. I was batting 1000 in getting registered voters to sign until you very decidedly said "No".  At that point I asked you "Why not?" because you seemed an amiable enough and thoughtful enough sort of fellow. We introduced ourselves. Now, what I don't understand is how you, as the former executive director of the Committee of Seventy, "a non-partisan organization conducting a permanent campaign to improve the Philadelphia region by demanding ethical conduct of public officials, promoting government efficiency, educating citizens and safeguarding elections" might sign some other 8th Distric candidate's petition like say Cindy Bass who you're supporting, but not mine. Fred, that doesn't sound very non-partisan to me. Do you know that both Irv Ackelsberg and Greg Paulmier both signed my petition but not Cindy? As I've been saying to people, getting me on the ballot just gives you the chance of voting against me. For someone of your stature not to sign I say is downright unsporting!

You're a busy man these days: volunteering for Chaka Fattah AND looking for a job. Gee, when I offered you to work on my campaign, you didn't even ask me how much I was willing to pay! Yeah , I suppose the Congressman has a job for you? Will it be advertised and can I apply?

When I googled you I came across Noel Weyrich's 2000 article in the City Paper, "WAM! Bam! Thank you,Vince! A State grant reveals another funding channel between Fumo and the city’s election watchdog group" I think it all goes to show that someone's got to watch the watchdogs so just to let you know, I'll be watching.