Cheesesteak retort comes with some hot pepper

The cheesesteak wars moved to City Council chambers yesterday.

A letter from Councilman Bill Green published in yesterday's Daily News about the Rick's Steaks controversy drew a harsh response from Councilman Frank DiCicco.

In the Daily News, Green wrote that the year-long dispute between Rick's Steaks and the Reading Terminal Market was an example of "people entrusted with preserving public assets apparently abusing their positions of authority to advantage their friends and associates."

For more than a year, the market has been trying to eject Rick Olivieri of Rick's Steaks. The battle concluded two weeks ago when Olivieri agreed to vacate the stand in October.

Green noted that he attended grade school with Olivieri.

Green's remarks didn't sit well with DiCicco, who serves on the board of directors for the market. DiCicco yesterday sent Green a scathing letter, which he copied to the mayor, City Council and the board.

Some key quotes:

* "I read with interest your letter in today's Daily News and continue to marvel at your inexperience, your political naivete and your inability to see an issue for what it truly is."

* "In the future I would encourage you to focus on the issues themselves rather than merely attempting to grand stand and gain public notoriety."

* "Most upsetting about your letter is your statement that the Market is an example of 'people entrusted with preserving public assets apparently abusing their positions of authority to advantage their friends and associates.' Following this bold and accusatory statement, you admit a close relationship with Olivieri. Of course this relationship has nothing to do with your interest in this topic."

At the close of the letter, DiCicco tells Green that he should "alter his tactics and his tone."

Asked for his reaction, Green played it cool.

"I appreciate Councilman DiCicco's experience," he said. "I remain hopeful that Councilman DiCicco and I can work together to ensure that prized public assets are appropriately protected and managed." *