Sunday, January 3, 2010

The Ticket?


UPDATE 7: [Councilman Bill Peduto on Twitter: "Ravenstahl backed City Council President slate lacks experience AND independence - it must be stopped. Not sure that I will be able to get the needed fifth vote, but we cannot let any Administration control Executive & Legislative branches."]

UPDATE 6: [Councilwoman Smith to Trib: "This is something that came to me on Tuesday, and, quite honestly, it's not something I'm seeking...I'm trying to find anybody but me."]


UPDATE 5: [Councilman Peduto, via Twitter to supporters: "Despite rumors, I am still a candidate for Council President with 4 votes and working for one more - thank you for kind words of support."]

UPDATE 4: [Councilman Burgess, via spokeswoman: "No comment".]


UPDATE 3: [Councilwoman Theresa Smith responds to my e-mail: "I appreciate the opportunity to comment; however, I will decline at this time and refer you to the Council members mentioned in your email for their comments. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and I look forward to working with you on additional reports in the future."]

UPDATE 2 : [Dayvoe of 2 Political Junkies notes: if true, Smith would become council president with 8 months experience, Lavelle would become finance chair with 0 days experience.]

UPDATE 1 : [Patrick Dowd confirms he now backs Smith for Council President. Says they need someone who can work together with others and reach across divides. Says Smith has shown that capacity and will serve them well, moving forward.]

The latest political buzz? That Theresa Kail-Smith has the votes to become Council President -- and that she will reward new Councilman Dan Lavelle for his vote by appointing him Finance Chair, the second most powerful position on council.

Anything can change between now and Monday morning's vote -- but the predictions now are that Councilman Rev. Ricky Burgess will abandon his hopes for council presidency and throw his support to Kail-Smith, with Patrick Dowd and Darlene Harris providing the rest of the five votes needed.

Still awaiting callbacks from council members -- there are other scenarios.

Other sources say that Councilwoman Darlene Harris is herself a candidate for council president.


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7 comments:

Bram Reichbaum said...

Would I be correct in surmising that the Harris candidacy is Team Peduto's attempt to stave off a total loss?

Bob Mayo said...

No indication on that, Bram.

Mark Rauterkus said...

Lavelle stood before the voters. He is on day 1. But, the OVERLORDS rule the city and are on their 800th day ZERO as they have never stood before the voters. But, who's counting? How long have the overlords been here?

EdHeath said...

I agree that Lavelle is key here. I wonder if Kraus is still a possible compromise?

Mark Rauterkus said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mark Rauterkus said...

Kraus needs to stay right where he is -- and nothing more. He should stay with Public Safety Committee, where he is buffered the most.

Anonymous said...

I think Lavelle's choice on this has long-term consequences for him (http://bit.ly/57OtVY). His belated sign-on as co-sponsor for the prevailing wage, however, is a sign he's either attempting rapprochement or he can simply see which way the political wind is blowing.