At the Dell, a familiar face wins a vague city contract

There is a new — and yet familiar — face running the show at the Dell Music Center, a city-owned concert venue in Fairmount Park.

Susan Slawson, who worked her way up during 29 years of employment with the city from police officer to recreation commissioner, retired last year, leaving behind her $124,200 salary.

The city in June declared Slawson the winner of a contract to serve as "lead consultant" at the Dell.

How much is that contract worth?  We're more than halfway through the Dell's summer concert series — running from July 6 to Sept. 21 — and the city still can't answer that question.

The Parks and Recreation Department contract hasn't been "fully executed," according to Lauren Hitt, Mayor Kenney's press secretary. No payments will be made until that happens, she added.

"I can confirm that $100,000 is the max," Hitt told us by email. "It won't go any higher than that."

Speaking of expenses, the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office is now providing security for the Dell.  Hitt said the city will reimburse the Sheriff's Office for use of deputies at the end of the concert season. Estimated cost: $25,000 in overtime for deputies.

A Philadelphia Sunday Sun story posted July 5 on the Dell's website said the venue was "taking it up a notch" with security, switching from a private firm. The motivation, that post said, was a May 22 terrorist bombing of an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, that killed 22 and injured dozens.

"These improvements may seem expensive but former Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson insists that it's worth the investment," that post said.

Slawson referred questions about security to Kenney's office.

While the city determines what it will pay Slawson, Hitt said the deal has been cleared by the Philadelphia Board of Ethics.

"Given her prior employment with the city, she was asked to speak with the Ethics Board about whether she could apply for such a contract, and she did receive clearance from them to apply," Hitt said.

Endorsement thumps Trump

Kenney endorsed Larry Krasner, the Democratic nominee for district attorney, in a City Hall event Thursday. Both men took the opportunity to take swipes at President Trump.

Kenney went first, knocking Trump for a comment he made to a group of law enforcement officers last week that was quickly criticized as an endorsement and encouragement of police brutality. Trump's press secretary later pushed back, calling it a joke.

Because who doesn't get a good chuckle out of police brutality? Hey-yo!

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross and former Commissioner Charles Ramsey were not laughing as they pushed back on Trump's rhetoric.

Kenney said community relations between residents and the police are "critical to the safety and security of our city."

Krasner, after thanking Kenney, said his campaign was talking with criminal justice experts around the country, gathering the best ideas on how to run the office if he defeats Republican nominee Beth Grossman in the Nov. 7 general election.

"Unlike the president, I am not afraid of science," Krasner said. "We should not be afraid of science to promote justice."

That escalated quickly (and predictably) 

Ben Waxman's quest to knock off State Rep. Brian Sims in the 182nd District got a boost in April from former State Rep. Babette Josephs, who served 28 years in the seat before Sims knocked her off in 2012.

Bring Babette Back, the political action committee Josephs started in an unsuccessful attempt to retake the seat from Sims in 2014, donated its last $9,430 to Waxman on April 25, according to a report filed with the state, terminating the PAC.

Waxman challenged Sims in the 2016 Democratic primary election, taking 34 percent of the vote in a four-way primary, while Sims took 40 percent, in the district, which stretches from Spring Garden to South Philly.

Waxman, who served as spokesman for Krasner's campaign in the primary, sent staffers there an email Tuesday, announcing that he would no longer hold that role.

"I will be stepping back from the DA race to pursue other political efforts … a bit closer to home. :-)" Waxman wrote.

Sims apparently took notice. He posted on Facebook on Wednesday a picture of the once and future challenger, posing with Eric Trump, second son of the president, after a campaign event in Harrisburg in October. Waxman, an avowed liberal, has a history of trying to get pictures with conservative politicians for giggles.

Make of that what you will. Sims certainly did.

Sims captioned his Facebook post: "Challenge: One of these people is now running against me, the other is his `good friend.' Guess who! (Hint: It's not Eric Trump.)"  Sims linked the post to his fund-raising website.

More than 100 people then commented on the photo, essentially splitting into two camps. Camp A: "Oh that's terrible. Here is my money." Camp B: "Waxman was joking. Sims should be ashamed."

The Democratic primary election is more than nine months from now. Should be a bumpy ride from here to there.

Quotable:

"Pack your crap up and go home, or we're going to talk all over you, Ed Rendell. Fast Eddie! We're going to talk all over you!" Asa Khalif, Black Lives Matter activist, while interrupting former Gov. Ed Rendell's planned remarks during a Monday celebration of Franklin Square Park. Khalif and several other activists were protesting the June 8 fatal police shooting of David Jones.

Staff writers Chris Brennan and David Gambacorta contributed to this column.