Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

DN Editorial: Our endorsements for Council at-large Republican candidates

VOTER TURNOUT may tell us otherwise, but there appears to be real excitement over the dramatic change that is likely to come to City Council, with five incumbents retiring.

From left: Lazin, McColgan, Odabashian, Oh & Taubenberger.
From left: Lazin, McColgan, Odabashian, Oh & Taubenberger.Read more

VOTER TURNOUT may tell us otherwise, but there appears to be real excitement over the dramatic change that is likely to come to City Council, with five incumbents retiring.

There's another corner of the political landscape that has some people paying attention: Republican candidates. The moribund city institution that is the GOP has seen a bit of new life, as candidates try to stretch the boundaries of the party - and not just via the usual spate of Democrats switching parties to better their election chances.

The at-large candidates in particular are a strong crop, which makes our decision to forgo an endorsement of incumbent Frank Rizzo easier. Rizzo is hardworking, and he shows up - not always the case with members of Council. But his regrettable participation in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan means it's time for the end of the current Rizzo dynasty.

While the five at-large Republicans sing a familiar tune of reforming the tax code to make the city more business-friendly, they distinguish themselves from each other in myriad ways.

We endorse:

MALCOLM LAZIN: A former federal prosecutor, Lazin served as chairman of the Pennsylvania Crime Commission. He cites as his priorities the underfunded city pensions and rising health-care costs. He pledges he won't take a city car or pension.

Former naval officer JOE McCOLGAN has spent his career in private banking and wealth management. He believes we're taxed too much, and is a true believer in public education; he's for eliminating the School Reform Commission. He is also a champion of cities, and thinks an urban agenda is important.

STEPHEN ODABASHIAN has had a peripatetic career that has included securities law in Tokyo, trading options in New York and, closer to home, impersonating Eagles coach Andy Reid. He questions - as do we - why Council is entitled to such a long break in summer; he also questions Council members' driving city cars.

In 2007, DAVID OH narrowly lost a bid for an at-large Council seat, and remains a strong candidate. Oh is a former assistant district attorney and has been practicing law in the city. He champions a regional tax policy, as well as an improved regional transportation effort, and is concerned about the city's high-school-dropout rate.

AL TAUBENBERGER gamely opposed Michael Nutter in the last mayoral election, and remains head of the Northeast Chamber of Commerce,

an experience that should give him good insight into improving the business and tax climate for Philadelphia.