GOP Delco councilman irks Dems by holding on to state Rep. job, too

But this year's ceremony was clouded by a politically charged controversy, as state Rep. Mario Civera took the oath of office for the county post while still hanging on to his seat in Harrisburg.

Civera, minority chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, had said during last year's campaign that he would resign his state seat if he won the county election.

In February, when Civera announced that he was running for County Council, he told the Daily News that he wouldn't hold both seats simultaneously because serving on the Appropriations Committee is a "full-time job."

"I'm not going to go down that road," the Upper Darby Republican said at the time.

He now plans to remain in Harrisburg indefinitely to assist with the proposed gaming legislation, and possibly next year's budget.

"My intentions are to retire [from the Legislature], but I'm not going to give you a date," he said before casting his first vote on Council. "I got some things I got to clean up, and then we'll go from there."

About a dozen protesters gathered outside the Media courthouse, criticizing Civera for breaking a campaign promise on his first day in office.

"It's the arrogance of incumbency," said Brian Eury, a Democrat considering running for Civera's seat in the 164th District. "Both jobs deserve full-time attention, and all this is now is a bait-and-switch."

Eury, a former East Lansdowne councilman, said that Civera's about-face "raises questions about his integrity."

Civera, a former Upper Darby councilman and member of the House since 1980, said that Gov. Rendell had called and asked that he remain in Harrisburg temporarily to assist with next year's budget. Rendell spokesman Gary Tuma confirmed that the phone conversation had taken place.

But Delaware County Democrats are hopping-mad. Some see Civera's delay as a ploy to keep the 164th District under Republican control.

Had Civera stepped down from his House seat upon joining County Council, the special election to replace him would likely have been held during the May 18 primary. That scenario would give Democrats the best chance at winning the seat because the primary for U.S. Senate between incumbent Arlen Specter and U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak is expected to significantly boost the Democratic turnout.

By delaying his resignation, however, Civera could force a special election at a later date that would essentially level the playing field. It would also cost taxpayers between $40,000 and $160,000, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Civera said that the Democrats are angry for one reason: They want his House seat.

"We all know what this agenda is, and what they did outside this morning, they have the right to do that," he said of the protesters. "But they're making it a pure political decision, where I'm just trying to conclude my business and go."

Clarification