Joan Krajewski and the Boom-Boom Sisters: Running amok, and other sports

Longtime former Philadelphia city councilwoman Joan Krajewski passed away on Aug. 29, 2013. From our archives, here's one of Krajewski's most famous moments: former Inquirer columnist Steve Lopez's story on when Krajewski was caught playing slots in Las Vegas on a trip where she was supposed to be conducting city business.

The story was originally published on Dec. 18, 1987.

Good morning, Rousetefarian brothers and sisters. The T-shirts will be available soon.

Today we're going to look at the state of politics in America, and other hazards of a declining civilization.

We hope to pick up a few recruits.

So there I was, reading the morning paper, wondering why we can't get competent politicians to guide SEPTA, when I came across stories about two politicians who want to guide the country.

I don't think we should be alarmed by the fact that one candidate for president can't keep his pants on and another is a television preacher.

It's a sign of the diversity of this great nation. One day, perhaps one of our Roustefarian brothers or sisters can live in the Big House, and I don't mean One Liberty Place.

Anyhow, on the same day that Democrat Gary Hart refused to answer questions about his hormone problem, Republican Pat Robertson said you could get AIDS by breathing.

Which gives us some insight into why there is a world of difference between the Democrats and Republicans on the board at SEPTA, and never the twain shall meet, let alone get to your station on time.

CHAOS, INCOMPETENCE

You may recall that on Wednesday morning, I suggested that SEPTA general manager William Stead leave town. The man is a mass-transit expert, and we don't need him or his kind to question our traditions of chaos and incompetence.

By Wednesday afternoon, it looked as if Stead might be getting the message and preparing to get out of town.

I don't necessarily see a correlation here, but the possibility is at least intriguing. I mean, you can never predict the impact of the written word.

And there's a lesson in that for those of us in journalism. The press has a power that should not be abused, or to further our own little crusades or personal vendettas.

Enough said.

Today I'd like to suggest that City Council President Joe Coleman leave town.

Go on, get out of here.

We'll see how this one works out. Actually, King Coleman has been behaving himself lately. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same for two of his colleagues on City Council.

I am speaking of the Boom-Boom Sisters.

VIVA LAS VEGAS

Joan Krajewski and Ann Land, a couple of legislative visionaries, popped up yesterday in a Daily News story. The Boom-Boom Sisters slinked out to Las Vegas, on the dole, for a National League of Cities convention.

Good move, because the convention included workshops on a number of issues important to Philadelphia.

Unfortunately, the Boom-Boom Sisters could not pull themselves away from the slot machines.

You had to know, deep down in your heart, that they were slot machine ladies. Some people, you can just tell. I'm laying two-to-one they went to the Wayne Newton show.

Krajewski attended one workshop. Land attended two. When confronted, as in caught red-handed, Krajewski said her back was acting up. Land's ulcer was bothering her.

The slots are therapeutic.

Boom-Boom.

You may be wondering how we got from SEPTA to the Boom-Boom Sisters and how we're going to get back on track. Why should there be any logical sequence here?

SUMMING IT UP

We're talking about a couple of jokers running for president, two City Council members whose idea of enrichment is three cherries, and a SEPTA board that conducted a nationwide search for an expert and then, as soon as he got in the door, tried to pay him to leave.

As I mentioned on Wednesday, one problem at SEPTA is that the suburban board members do not trust the city board members. This is at least partly because of the regional perception that Philadelphia's public officials handle tax dollars as if they were, say, turned loose in a casino.

But if Stead winds up walking away, as he still might, and SEPTA becomes a national joke, as it still might, it'll be the narrow-minded and petty suburban board members who will look like they've stepped in it.

Board Chairman Lew Gould will be in so far, they'll need the Jaws of Life to get him out.

And the chance of more federal and state funding to actually improve the system will be slimmer than the chance of the Boom - Boom Sisters dating Engelbert Humperdinck.

Regional transportation? Bahhh!

It's falling apart, folks, and there's only one answer.

The Roustefarians: Working today for a better tomorrow.