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BABETTE JOSEPHS: TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE
Submitted by Gaetano P. on Fri, 06/08/2007 - 9:32am.
Local residents and supporters of community activist and 2006 Democratic candidate for the 182nd District, Larry Farnese will be attending Babette Josephs’ noon rally to demand answers from their state representative. This Friday, almost three years after casting her midnight vote in favor of slot parlors on our riverfront, and after months of community outrage and concern, Josephs plans to unveil a bill that would create a buffer zone between casinos and neighborhoods.
Residents, however, question her motives in light of the fact that Larry Farnese received 48% of the vote in their 2006 contest. This was the closest race Josephs ever ran.
Farnese, Josephs’ challenger in the 2006 election, finds the sudden desire to correct her voting record as troubling. Farnese says “Rep. Josephs’ midnight negligence brought Act 71 to our doorsteps. Now, only after I publicly challenged her on this issue does she decide to take action.” Farnese continued, “where has she been? Along with thousands of Philadelphians, I have been urging appropriate public discourse on this issue and responsible development from day one.”
A supporter of Farnese points out that Josephs not only voted for Act 71, but since 2004 has remained largely silent in Harrisburg on casino development. Farnese spokesman Mike Luce believes Josephs is simply slow to respond on important issues. “In 1999 she questioned how casinos would change Philadelphia. Apparently it has taken Josephs 8 years, 7 casino-related lawsuits, a public referendum and Larry Farnese to figure out the answer.”
***As I said a few months ago, I am working to elect Larry Farnese to the State House of Representatives in the 182nd Legislative District. Not all views expressed by me are attributable to the Farnese Campaign or Larry Farnese.
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Late as she may be, at least
Late as she may be, at least she stepped up and introduced the legislature to create the buffer. At this point it might be more constructive to lobby for the support of the bill, instead of knocking the author.
I'm sorry, but I see the
I'm sorry, but I see the issue two ways. Follow me here:
1. I've been working on the casino issue for over a year now. I was one of CFP's first lawyers and am a delegate to the DRNA. Both groups do great work. Supporting the buffer is something I do--daily. It is also something Larry does--daily. Larry's record on the buffer is solid. He took part in the massive petition drive. He was harassed by Sugarhouse private investigators. He was asked by CFP to attend a press conference to talk about his experiences! Further, he (and to some extent I) has gone from building to building in his district educating voters on the buffer, the issues involved and the referendum. There is wide support for the referendum here and the buffer--no matter the incarnation.
2. Then there is the political issue. Babette Josephs was literally asleep at the wheel. She said in a debate against Andrew Hohns, 3 months before the Act 71 vote, that she would study the issue and how gaming would effect our communities before voting. Then, as we all read in the Philly Mag article "Gaming the System" in the last week of a session, without any study or forethought (because the bill was so procedurally altered and bastarized compared to its original inception) she voted "yes." It was not, however, the first time she voted for gaming in PA.
And, here is another point of clarification for everyone out there, Act 71 did, in fact, preempt local zoning (which she voted for). But for the PAGE lawsuit and the PA Supreme Court's decision therein, we would all be screwed.
Let's also put this into perspective. Josephs' mea cupla did not come until AFTER the closest election of her career and AFTER Farnese sent a mailer to 6,000 residents of the 182nd District discussing the issue.
Can you say pandering. I can. Supporting the buffer and supporting Josephs are two different things. I think Larry's record on the issue is clear. At least it is much clearer than Josephs'.
If there is one thing Larry can be proud of, his support for the 1500 ft. buffer got a State Representative to turn-tail and act.
Thanks for the backstory, it
Thanks for the backstory, it seems that just about anyone involved with this mess has some sort dirt on them, even the one who seem to be on your side. Like I said, at least it's a step in the right direction.
Personally
And, I'm not speaking for anyone else here but myself, the casino issue in PA is a travesty. I try and explain this issue to people, and they look at me like I am crazy--like I'm crazy for expecting more accountability, forethought and reason from our representatives in government.
Unfortunately, I must be a fool or something. I just keep coming back for more.
And this mindset is what
And this mindset is what people need to get over. Doing wrong and then trying to make amends is not what we should settle for from our elected officials.
How about we start holding them accountable for f'ing up in the first place? Once we do that, maybe they will stop trying to see what they can get away with while realizing as long as they backtrack, they are safe.
You realize you are asking people that spend hours, days or weeks fighting legislation Josephs put through and then you want them to forgive her because she is changing her stance?
Nope. Send her and every other politician that has done you wrong to the fire, no matter how much they "tried to make it right".
What can't people start realizing we tell politicians what to do, not the other way around?
Vote out Josephs. She has two very good candidates running against her in Farnesse and Banaszek. Investigate them both.
Jospehs ran over your dog a couple times. Just because she is asking others to put up a fence now doesn't mean everything is forgiven.
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"yes adam gave some informative comments but he also seems to sprinkle a little adam dust on it." - merkin
Follow Up
Good article on the rally on Friday, check it out here.
Oddly enough, Josephs wants to say that when a 20-odd year politician, who voted pro-casino interests just 3 years ago and who suddenly does an about-face on the issue after being called on it, has a "big" rally inviting mainstays of the casino-opposition does not make something a political event.
Funny, I thought that was preceisly what a political event was.
I like the last line: "Obviously when something has been done, it's harder to undo it," Josephs said. That is why the 182nd needs a State Representative who is in-touch with its many communities and who will have the forethought to vote appropriately on legislation.