Heard in the Hall

Attempt to knock Rizzo off the ballot

Republican ward leader Matt Wolfe plans to file a challenge March 9 to Councilman Frank Rizzo's right to be on the May 17 primary ballot. In a letter dated Monday, Wolfe told Pamela Dembe, president judge of Common Pleas Court, that he would challenge Rizzo's ballot because the Councilman is enrolled in the city's Deferred Option Retirement Program, or DROP. The controversial pension perk lets city employees collect a lump-sum upon retirement, in addition to a lower monthly pension. DROP enrollees are supposed to retiree, but Rizzo and some other elected officials have used a legal loopholle that lets them collect the money, retire for a day, and run again. Wolfe said his suit will challenge whether Rizzo can do that. Rizzo was not immediately available for comment. In the past, he has said he relied on the opinions of two city solicitors in deciding to run again. Wolfe said he gave Dembe early notice of his intent to sue in the hope that it would make it easier for her to schedule the case during the busy election season

8 comments

Attempt to knock Rizzo off the ballot

POSTED: Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 12:16 PM

Miriam Hill

Republican ward leader Matt Wolfe plans to file a challenge March 9 to Councilman Frank Rizzo's right to be on the May 17 primary ballot.

In a letter dated Monday, Wolfe told Pamela Dembe, president judge of Common Pleas Court, that he would challenge Rizzo's ballot because the Councilman is enrolled in the city's Deferred Option Retirement Program, or DROP.

The controversial pension perk lets city employees collect a lump-sum upon retirement, in addition to a lower monthly pension. DROP enrollees are supposed to retiree, but Rizzo and some other elected officials have used a legal loopholle that lets them collect the money, retire for a day, and run again.

Wolfe said his suit will challenge whether Rizzo can do that.

Rizzo was not immediately available for comment. In the past, he has said he relied on the opinions of two city solicitors in deciding to run again.

Wolfe said he gave Dembe early notice of his intent to sue in the hope that it would make it easier for her to schedule the case during the busy election season.

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8 comments

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Comments (8)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 2:05 PM, 03/01/2011

Something is fishy at city hall... Lie cheat and steal; create a loop hole, say that's GOOD. Write to richard.glazer.phila.gov-- Ethics Board Chairman-- Tell him to stop the theft... make Street and Joan Krasewshi, close the loop hole, and give (US) the people of Philly, our money back.

— thomas j barnes

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 3:43 PM, 03/01/2011

Years and Plenty of Dollars Ago we were in the same situation and nobody said much about it. Then it was Krajewski and Tartaglione. Tartaglione wants to be re-elected again, Krajewski retired. Others on the DROP Are DONATUCCI (register of wills office, 1 of 5 Quasi Judical Offices in philly, that need to Go! ), DI CICCO, TASCO, RIZZO. Close The LoopHole Now !!! Now, Knowing our financial situation, These HOGS want more!!! WHAT !!!! WHAT ARE THESE CRUMS PRIVILEGED ???????? They only work part time !! Cut their Pay Checks !! These people and all others that are on the DROP Program and running for re-election should be TAKEN OFF THE BALLOTT!!!!!!!!

— ThePaPatriot

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 3:46 PM, 03/01/2011

City Council relies on the "opinion" of the city solicitors, and the city solicitors rely on city council for its budget. Interesting. It is about time that the court look at the issue of DROP and the "retire for a day" crowd that wants to run 'OUR CITY". Wouldn't it be nice to let a jury of working class taxpayers decide the issue. Please, please, please, vote them all out!

— tlee

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 3:47 PM, 03/01/2011

Rendell wants to come back......

— Nutball

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:07 PM, 03/01/2011

One would think that if a politician "resigns" even if just for a day, then his position is deemed vacant, and the process to fill an elected office should take place. It doensn't seem legal if he has to resign and then can just walk in and claim his job.

— TheGuyfromPhilly