I predict, a decision early Wednesday morning

A former city councilman held an early lead in Tuesday's Democratic mayoral primary over a millionaire business executive and two congressman.

Michael Nutter, who gave up his council seat to run for mayor, had 33 percent of the vote with 42 percent of precincts reporting. Businessman Tom Knox had 28 percent, followed by U.S. Reps. Bob Brady and Chaka Fattah.

Nutter surged in the final weeks of the campaign after spending months attacking two-term incumbent John Street, who is barred by term limits from running again.

The Democratic primary winner will be the overwhelming favorite in November. Nearly four of five city voters are Democrats and the city has not elected a Republican mayor in nearly 60 years. Business leader Al Taubenberger was unopposed in the Republican primary.

Election Day Blues

The mayorial race in Philly turned real ugly as the primary campaign came to a close. No one is surprised. Unfortunately, for my BF she is caught right smack in the middle of the drama. I hope her guy wins because he has made his money, so there will not be need for him to use the office to make more. This will be good for the city and suburbia. I guess. I hope. Unless he fires everybody, the lifers employed by the city may just make his life miserable. The other candidates have done very little to serve the residents of Philadelphia.

I took the day off to "work the polls." For my first shift, I was stationed at the local library. The follow of traffic was awesome...for "story time." The folks of voting age simply did not want to be bothered. During my three hour shift, I counted fifteen voters. Four actually took Democratic literature. In my neck of the woods, this is news. One resident returned to vote and brought me a vegetarian sandwich. Both gestures made me happy.

Those who arrived to actually vote were seniors against referendum on income tax. They weren't sure why but it had to be bad because it is a tax. These were some of the same folks who were upset because it took so long to clear the down trees after a recent storm. Sigh. They want an infrastructure but don't want to pay for it. In this community, the tax will not affect our lives.

It's a primary for local offices so I expected the turnout to be low but not this low. Our area had record turnout last November.

My afternoon shift is at the local skilled nursing facility, I wonder if the the flow of traffic will pick up.

If you have an today, take a few minutes to vote. What happens at the local level has a direct impact on your daily life.

Vote.

Silly Drama

Tom Knox is forgiving the 5 million dollar loan to his Philly mayoral campaign.

I can't believe this was even an issue. This man is worth $100 million dollars. This falls into the "so what" category.

Unfortunately, some people get into politics to make money. Clearly, Knox has taken that item off of his things to do list.

Change has to come to Philadelphia. Violence plagues the city. This is evidence of chronic problems facing the residents. Churches are the heart of the community. Schools are the brains. Both are on life support. Resources are not getting to where the most good can be done.

How much money is finding its way to friends and family of the regular cast of characters because "that is the way it is?"

Maybe Knox is the "change agent" Philadelphia so desperately needs.