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With Casino Question Off the Ballot, Time for DiCicco to LEAD, Not Follow
Submitted by VernAnastasio on Mon, 04/16/2007 - 11:14am.
Anastasio to DiCicco: Your Lack of Leadership Has Led to This Casino Crisis
April 16, 2007 – Today, long-time anti-casino activist Vern Anastasio expressed his outrage at the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision to issue a temporary injunction that essentially removes the question regarding the placement of Philadelphia’s casinos from the May 15th Ballot. Anastasio, who is seeking the Democratic nomination in City Council’s First District that includes the Delaware Riverfront Neighborhoods most impacted by the proposed casinos, points to reckless state lawmakers and dirty local politics as the reason for this current crisis.
In addition to placing blame for this crisis on State lawmakers, Anastasio said, “I cannot help but think that if Councilman Frank DiCicco would have spoken up early on – when we asked him to help us fight to defend our waterfront – then we would not be faced with today’s crisis. When we were fighting these casinos from being placed directly next to our neighborhoods, DiCicco used excuses, delays and distractions to avoid the hard work that needed to be done. I don’t care how much money King of Casinos Vince Fumo gives you, sometimes you have to stand up and fight for our neighborhoods. By the time DiCicco joined our efforts to keep casinos off of our waterfront, it was just twelve days before the sites were selected on December 18, 2006. ”
Frank DiCicco’s record of unwillingness to stand with neighborhoods for most of their fight against waterfront casinos is well documented:
“If a poll were taken today I believe…Philadelphians would say they want gaming,” DiCicco said in an interview with The Philadelphia Weekly in January 2006.
DiCicco also opposed community coalitions and public meetings on the casino issue. “What I don’t want to do is…let everybody start coming out and having these massive meetings,” commented DiCicco at a community event co-sponsored by the New Kensington CDC and Fishtown Neighbors Assocation in February 2, 2006 and reported on by hallwatch.org.
In testimony offered before the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in April 2006, DiCicco said that he has “not taken a position in favor or opposed to any specific site” for the casinos and that “as residents, we must learn to accept that which we cannot change.”
For the second time in a month, Vern is calling on DiCicco to introduce the ordinance Anastasio drafted several weeks ago that would amend the zoning code and drive the casinos away from our neighborhoods. “It’s not enough to curse the darkness of the proposed casinos. We must light candles and offer solutions. And so, I reiterate what so many anti-casino activists have called for before. I ask DiCicco to introduce the ordinance I have drafted to amend our Zoning Code and keep casinos away from our neighborhoods.”
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Can you say
PATHETIC?
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I know Anastasio doesn't rank high on your list
(and neither do I, for that matter), but could you explain on the issues what is "pathetic" about this post?
Frank DiCicco
is responsible for all that is bad including Katrina and Rita. It's pathetic because he continues these inane press releases that never seem to go over at all.
The fact is that Frank has been working on this issue for 17/18 months and has done a good job in a tough situation. He has been fighting a pretty good battle with little ammunition. We all have.
Then all we get here is the annoying little kid in the front row of the class, waving his arm and saying, "Ssster, ssster, ssster" all day long.
That's what's pathetic!
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I agree
I agree. Mr. Anastasio always comes off attacking DiCicco personally. I'm sorry, but it's getting old.
What!?!
1) You can't run against a long-seated incumbent by praising him.
2) There is nothing personal (or pathetic) in this press release.
3) As a resident of this neighborhood, and an early opponent of the casinos, Mr. Anastasio is 100% right on Frank's long absence from this issue. If DiCicco would have come out earlier against these casinos, we might be in a stronger position today. Honestly, it took him so long to take action in city council I can't take serious his new morphed-role as an anti-casino advocate.
Why doesn't/hasn't he introduced a bill that would change the zoning code to 1500 feet away from residences? If that gets thrown out by the courts, then fine, but he seems to be missing the point of opposing these things at every level.
In February, I personally
In February, I personally testified in support of about 8 bills DiCicco introduced related to casinos and land use/zoning. While they were not in the exact language of the referendum, you're facts are incorrect.
ok
Was there a resolution voted on in Feb, which was very late in the game, that would prohibit casinos from being built within 1500 feet of residences? What was the outcome of that vote? Was it brought up for a vote at all?
Obviously the referendum was
Obviously the referendum was at the center of everyone's priorities and, with the help of the Councilman's staff, the casino groups were able to secure a veto-proof package.
As for the 8 bills, last I checked, a number of them have gone through the committee (at least 3) and I lost track there. But, they were there and so was I. Councilman Kenney is on that committee--he may be able to fill in the blank.
Vern is a friend of mine. And, my response was not directed at him or his post, but your own commentary. I work on this issue through the DRNA and I think it bad for people who really do not want casinos to start hammering away at Frank and his staff who have been very helpful and supportive. Perhaps the game was started late, but remember, prior to December 20, 2006, there were no licenses issued. And, also remember that it is out state delegation who has brought use these things.
I agree, and I understand
I agree, and I understand DiCicco's office has been doing a lot in the past COUPLE months with this issue. But I also can remember being very upset with my councilman's office for staying strangely silent for what felt like a very long time.
You're very right that no licenses were issued till December, but Act 71 was passed in July with two casinos slated for Philadelphia. If I'm not mistaken Casino Free Philadelphia began as an organization that summer, they did not wait till February when those bills you speak of were brought before city council.
In review, Act 71 passed in July 2006 mandating Philadelphia takes two casinos (with DiCicco's waterfront district being the overwhelming choice for them), one month passes, a coalition of people (CasinoFree) had come together to fight the casinos, seven months pass, DiCicco introduces 8 bills in city council. Explain to me the difference between leading and following again?
I know that our state legislators also brought this on the neighborhoods as well, but they're not up for reelection, DiCicco is, and it is his record on this issue that the people of the 1st are looking at now. Politicians can't just be "not the worst" on the issue to earn my vote.
Actually, if I'm not
Actually, if I'm not mistaken, Act 71 was passed in July of 2004.
To some extent, everyone is playing catch-up on this issue.
Right. Also Casino Free was
Right. Also Casino Free was actually formed earlier than July of this year too. My point being is that the councilman was over half a year behind the neighborhood groups on this issue, and it would have been great to have him as an ally for that half a year.
If you are involved with the opposition of the casinos, (I believe you that you are) then you know that it would have been nice using time and energy convincing other decision makers about these casinos and not our councilman which I thought would have been an obvious and early ally.
I do not agree with
your analysis, but if I did, would that mean that Vern should replace DiCicco? I don't think so.
FMI, does your screen name indicate your residency?
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I wouldn't expect everyone
I wouldn't expect everyone to feel as strongly about casinos as me (or even agree that they are bad). But since that's very important to me, it has a huge effect on my voting.
Northern New Jersey is my home and where I grew up. I view it like the Jews view Israel; it is the promised land and we are the chosen people. One day I will end my diaspora and return to the Garden State. Until then I reside (and vote) in Queen Village.
18
is not a "COUPLE". That's in my mind 3.
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18
What was DiCicco doing 18 months ago to fight the casinos?
We did not have the votes
last Thursday to pass the zoning change. We hope to have them this week.
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i really should be working...
but hopefully you can answer me this question when you get a chance. On the federal level, legislators can cosponsor bills which allow individuals to register their support publicly even if a bill is not voted on.
It seems to me that in City Hall, there's no way to really know who is for what until the vote is taken unless you're a real insider.
1) This must be frustrating to members of the council.
2) How are voters supposed to know who is holding up these votes if this stuff is kept in the dark? I'm serious, how do we know what offices to call to pressure undecided votes?
W e have
the ability to have multiple co-sponsors of a bill, but it is not required. Controversial bills do not always have more than a few signatures. Councilmembers often like to wait things out to guage public sentiment.
Every office should be contacted. I believe before this election, no one is going to vote "no" on the bill or veto override. So, stir it up now.
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