Rizzo DROP case appealed

Councilman Frank Rizzo is not out of the woods yet.

The Republican ward leader who tried, unsuccessfully, to force Rizzo off the primary ballot has appealed his case to the Commonwealth Court.

Matthew Wolfe, of the 27th Ward in University City, is hoping to do better at the higher court in making his argument that the councilman made an "irrevocable" decision to retire when he signed up for the retirement program.

Common Pleas Court Judge James M. Lynn didn't buy it, and in fact issued a harsh opinion to that effect.

It's still uncertain whether Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco and City Commission Chairwoman Marge Tartaglione will face more challenges because of appeals filed in each of their cases. Both officials, like Rizzo, are also seeking reelection and are DROP participants.

Joseph Doherty, the lawyer for petitioners who failed to persaude Lynn to toss Tasco and Tartaglione, too, from the ballot, said Friday he expects at least one case to be appealed. Next Monday is the deadline for filing an appeal.

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