Heated debate in competitive 10th Councilmanic District

THERE'S NO LOVE lost between City Councilman Brian O'Neill and Bill Rubin, his Democratic challenger.

That much was abundantly clear Monday night when the two went head-to-head for a debate at the Raymond and Miriam Klein Jewish Community Center, on Jamison Road near Red Lion in Northeast Philly.

A small crowd showed up to watch the pair trade verbal jabs, even though the race for the Northeast's 10th Councilmanic District is shaping up as one of the city's most competitive with the Nov. 8 election drawing ever closer.

Rubin previously worked as the supervisor of elections for the City Commissioners Office and as vice chairman of the city's Pension Board.

O'Neill, the Republican minority leader, has held the Council seat in the 10th District since 1979.

Here's where they stood on issues raised during the debate, which was sponsored by the League of Women Voters:

Pensions

Rubin said O'Neill and other City Council members put the city's pension fund in a precarious spot by not adequately funding it for years. To fix the sorry state of the fund, "you have to think outside the box," he said. "Obviously, what we're doing now isn't working."

O'Neill rejected the idea of blaming Council for the city's pension woes. The Pension Board "lost a billion dollars at one point," he said, "and Rubin was the vice chairman."

DROP

The Deferred Retirement Option Plan remains a hot-button issue. Rubin chided O'Neill for previously filing an application to possibly enter the program.

O'Neill said he'll never sign up for the program - and lambasted Rubin for working for outgoing City Commissioner Marge Tartaglione, who previously took a DROP payment, retired for a day and returned to work.

Council president

Rubin said he wouldn't support Councilwoman Marian Tasco for City Council president, then added that he's not sure whom he'll back.

O'Neill said he's only focused on winning re-election.

Wheels

Rubin called Council members driving city cars "a waste of taxpayer money," and said he would not take one if elected.

O'Neill said he'd be fine if Council members weren't given city cars and would give up his as soon as Mayor Nutter did the same.