As spring election nears, it's time for innuendo to bloom

It would not be spring without the blooming of the political attack ad/flier/blog-post, and the May 17 City Council primary promises a fruitful season.

In the heretofore genteel contest for First District, where four candidates are looking to replace retiring Councilman Frank DiCicco, Vern Anastasio's supporters have taken aim at Mark Squilla, who has received much of the establishment support in the race.

"Stop the Machine!! Stop Corruption NOW!" trumpeted a posting on Anastasio's Facebook page this month. Anastasio says the message did not come from him and he removed it. The message went on to list Squilla's supporters and their connection to "scandals":

DiCicco (tied to Citizens' Alliance, the Vince Fumo- funded neighborhood group once run by DiCicco's son, Christian); State Rep. William Keller, whose house it claims the FBI raided (Keller's offices were raided, not his home); and electricians union boss John Dougherty, whom it listed as "under FBI probe." (It's a great subject of debate about whether the FBI still has its eye on Dougherty after searching his home five years ago.)

Neither Dougherty nor Keller has ever been charged with crimes in connection with any federal investigations.

Hang on - it's all downhill from here. - Jeff Shields