Delaware Political Weekly: August 25-31, 2012
“And the days dwindle down to a precious few…” before the Delaware primary on September 11.
1. Shadow Montgomery Group Spending Big Bucks.
Of course, Bill Montgomery knows nothing, nothing, about them. No doubt just some civic -minded (read: people who stand to make big bucks if Montgomery is elected) individuals who are so proud of their stance that they remain cloaked in anonymity. Montgomery says he deploys deplores (OK, where did I steal that from? Bonus points are on the line!) such tactics. But, damn, what a beautiful message, exactly the same as Montgomery’s message. Such coincidental kismet. OK, since we don’t know who is behind Citizens for a Secure Community, I’m gonna guess. Some Buccini/Pollin folks, perhaps? R-turned-D Joe DiPinto? Tom Carper/Ed Freel and their self-appointed posse of grown-ups? Gimme your best guesses as to who is behind this. ‘Irresponsible’ guesses encouraged Now, let me make this clear: I have no problem with the content of these ‘anonymous’ mailings, which number three so far. I certainly think, for example, that Dennis Williams’ history of avoiding or delaying the payment of his taxes is a big deal, especially since he has based his whole campaign on ‘public safety’. It’s hard for me to understand how a repeat scofflaw is best positioned to argue that citizens must toe the line or face his wrath. Unless, of course, he is the one not toeing the line. In this case, both Dennis Williams and ‘law-abiding’ Rep. John Atkins have a lot in common. But this kind of anonymity in a state like Delaware represents a threat to the democratic process. It doesn’t take a lot of money to have undue influence over a local election. And that’s precisely what this group seeks to exercise: undue influence. Montgomery should disavow this group and should tell them to cease-and-desist. He sure isn’t going to unite the city if he rides such underhanded tactics to the Mayor’s office.
2. Worst Political Mailer of the Week.
While it got some late competition from a pointless palm card from Jonathan Husband, a Nixonian letter from Tom Gordon was never really in jeopardy. A tw0-facedsided letter that sets Gordon up as both a victim and a mere man of the people while trying to inoculate himself from his sordid past. Some excerpts (and, believe me, I could quote the whole thing):
Many have asked why I ran for office in the first place and why I would subject myself and my family to another campaign. Politics today can be very nasty.
My opponent has already started those old accusations that were found to be totally false (Author’s Note: That, by the way, is demonstrably a lie.). Your mailbox and airwaves are about to be bombarded with negative attack ads…(Author’s Note: Something that Gordon would never resort to…)
I never intended to seek elective office (Author’s Note: That is demonstrably…oh why bother?).
To be fair, I realize that you’ve also heard some terrible things about me. I was the subject of a well-publicized investigation by a Bush Administration appointee (Author’s Note: Who Joe Biden made DAMNED sure didn’t become a judge) which involved accusations that I had used my office for personal gain…(e)very single one of the charges which alleged that I did anything wrong were found to be false (untrue), and dropped by the investigators.
What did happen? It is true that two employees worked on a political campaign in the county office and without my knowledge (Author’s Note: Who was it that said ‘I’ll take the responsibility, but not the blame?’ Oh, that’s right. Nixon)
Tom Gordon the victim. He’s only wanted what’s best for ‘the people’. My life would be complete if only he would go on TV and say the following:
People have accused me and Sherry of having an extensive collection of exotic handcuffs covered with the skins of endangered species. Nothing could be further from the truth. My only pair of handcuffs (starts to choke up) was given to me on my last day as Chief of Police. They are standard-issue Democratic handcuffs simply inscribed with Sherry’s and my initials. I always swelled up with…pride whenever the handcuffs came out, but now I can barely look at them.
3. A Couple of Good Recruits for Legislative Office.
One for the D’s and one for the R’s. Sam Chick, an Iraqi war veteran and officer in his family’s business, has been chosen by the R’s to replace Ron Poliquin run against incumbent D State Rep. Darryl Scott in the 31st District. He likely doesn’t represent a threat to Scott, most late-starting candidates don’t, but he could be someone to watch in the future. A good get.
The D’s have finally found an opponent for Gerald Hocker, long after finding such a candidate might have made this race competitive. Richard W. Eakle of Selbyville, was endorsed by Democratic Party chair John Daniello:
“Rick served in the U.S. Navy before becoming the Operational Director for the Reagan Administration’s Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars?), which became the Clinton Administration’s National Missile Defense program – he knows first hand the importance of working with both parties to meet our country’s needs,” Daniello said.
Eakle also chairs the Board of the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays. Sounds like a retired military guy to me. Might fit the Sussex constituency, but, for this fall at least, he’s just a name on the ballot.
4. Future Shock.
In order to make this item conform to the weekly timeline of this column, I can now officially report that I, El Somnambulo, will predict all the key primary results on the Al Mascitti Show, Tuesday, September 4, beginning at 10 a.m., 1150 WDEL Newsradio on your AM dial. I will also write a lengthy tome on the same subject for Delaware Liberal, which may, or may not be posted at the same time. I might just want to delay the online predictions to enable me to weasel out of certain picks based on late-breaking news and/or predictor’s remorse. However, I need your help! If you’ve got some real sense as to how certain races are shaping up, please post it here. I’m especially uncertain about some legislative races including, but not limited to, McGlumphy/Bennett, Newlin/Brown, Mayor/Jones, Miro/Manolakos, and R. Adkins/Lowe. Please try to keep it intelligent. In other words, analysis, not mere bravado.
That’s it for this week. What did I miss and whaddayathink?
Tags: Bill Montgomery Wilmington, Dennis P. Williams Wilmington, El Somnambulo, Richard Eakle Delaware, Sam Chick Delaware, Steve Tanzer Delaware, Tom Gordon Delaware
As for Montgomery you over estimate the importance that Paying taxes has upon the people actually doing the voting on Sept 11….
I’m trying to think who really cares? And my answer is someone overly concerned with enforcing petty laws… meaning government, law enforcement, or prosecutors. Even defense attorneys would be exempt.
Bottom line: so what if he’s behind on a couple of bills; isn’t everybody?… last I heard, nearly everyone is overextended? including the Federal Government?
I’m trying to think who really cares?
Have you been living and paying taxes in Wilmington, kavips? I think not. Meaning that you have not been at the receiving end of the City’s full court press to get people to pay their taxes and water bills. There are people whose houses are going to foreclosure for less money than DPW owed to the city.
I wouldn’t discount how this plays in town, especially since plenty of people have been bullied for less money.
Adkins/Lowe doesn’t matter. Tim Dukes will win with 60-70 percent without breaking a sweat.
One more City thing — in the 2nd there are two D candidates in the primary vying for the City Council seat: Trippi Congo who is the incumbent and Kathleen Patterson who is challenging. Kathleen is working pretty hard at this and has been doing alot of door knocking and is generating some buzz over there. Enough buzz that the incumbent agreed to meet in a candidate forum (debate) on Tuesday 4 September at the Warner School.
Wonder who is on the Bill Montgomery speed dial for his thousands of dollars in anonymous, 3rd party ad spending –‘that he supposedly knows nothing about?’
We know its not the Koch brothers (wrong party)…maybe its:
Line 1- Buccini Brothers
Line 2- City vendors with fat contracts
Line 3- Tatiana Copleland
Line 4- City Committee OR Unions
Line 5- J. Brian Murphy
Apparently Montgomery dropped another negative piece on Williams today. He needs to tear down the Williams vote I guess. Word is that this negativity is starting in inflame the minority community.
Looks like we are finally seeing Bill’s true character exposed.
He has almost nothing positive to run on after 12 yrs of failed Baker-Montgomery policies. Really sad to see the desperation.
I assume it will ly get worse in final week from BM ( pun fully intended)….
JJ: if Baker was so bad, why didn’t Dennis P. Williams have the balls to run against him four years ago?
Dennis Williams: the kiss-up, kick-down candidate.
Maybe because he was in leadership in the General Assembly, and helping fund city programs ….. Manifold the “apparently racist, condescending commenter”
I wouldn’t support Baker/Montgomery if you paid me, but of course he doesn’t have any control over independent expenditures. By there nature there is no coordination. That means you do not talk with them about that. You may not even know the ads or mailings are coming in some cases. The candidate is the last to know if it is done right. Your silly diatribe shows how little you respect the intelligence of your readers. That is the real deal.
Manifold: Because Williams was tapped by Speaker Gilligan to Chair the JFC, helping Markell reduce hundreds of millions in deficits from state budget the last 4 yrs & helping to bring funds to Wilmington via the JFC with Sen. McDowell.
Uh, Real Deal, spare me the ‘by their very nature’ argument. Especially when stuff like this is going on:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/02/1116041/-CNN-Romney-Violating-Federal-Laws-Coordinating-With-Karl-Rove
Plus, I never said that Montgomery colluded with the group, just that he knows damn well who is doing it, and could ask them to stop.
They don’t have to comply, but he’s admitted he kinda likes what they’re doing. I don’t.
El Som is right on target. Bill is paraphrased as loving their first two mailers praising and quoting his crime plan, and then mysteriously come the slam pieces on Williams. The real concern is that folks with huge city contracts like Honeywell ($35 million, 20 year–arguably many think “No bid” contract) or Riverfront dealmakers could funnel big $$ to support their boy without any diclosure….I’d like to know who is spending gobs of money to back Bill and what they may get in return should he prevail, by some miracle….
Brian Murphy and had a back and forth on this last night on Facebook. He was ” shocked and surprised ” that people would be suspicious. Always watch for the innocent types;).
Brian Murphy and JPconnorjr — talk about two phony “innocent types.” The more you hear from either one, the more likely you are to turn to Kevin Kelley.
I haven’t claimed innocence since ’65 but you MW are an idiot all day every day;)
Got it, Joe. In your world, if one doesn’t support KWS&DPW, then one is an idiot. The real fool is the one who holds such beliefs.
In my world if you take a personal shot instead of debating an issue I will shoot back,Mister idiot
It doesn’t take much more than a few keystrokes to find out who is behind the ‘shadow’ group promoting Montgomery. Jeffrey S Bensing listed his name on the 3rd mailer, and Jeffrey S Bensing worked as chief of staff for Republican Sen Ensing of NV, and some lobbying to boot. Republicans backing Montgomery? Sounds like the Republicans don’t think Williams will win, so they’re backing another candidate they feel will be receptive to their causes. Hmmmmm…
McGlumphy’s making a late push in the 32nd. Heard a mail piece hit today for him. He may actually make this a race.
end
Be careful what you wish for…Republicans lined up hard to support Jim Baker over Jim Sills many moons ago. Most are regretting it now, except for developers who Baker handed over the keys on economic development carte blanche to a few poeple with little accountability.
How could any mail piece have hit mailboxes today… It’s a federal holiday and there wasn’t any mail delivery.
What did the piece that dropped for McGlumphy say. Just curious. I am a city of Dover resident…..and hate to see him get in….
Jessica – Well, by “Today” I mean I noticed it today, mixed in with the other mail from this weekend that I hadn’t looked at. Very scientific.
Coal – Holding Dover to higher standards of accountability was the theme.
JP: Quit the stupid accusations or I’ll stop buying your newspaper.
JJ: Good parry, but I have otherwise read nothing, in your posts or others’, that provides a rationale for DPW’s candidacy. Essentially, it’s “I want to be elected, and I’m counting on demographics to carry me pass the least substantive campaign possible.”
Several weeks ago, you made the palpably silly claim that the Baker administration had let illegal no-bid contracts. We called you on it, and you’ve been silent since. Rather, your argument against the Baker administration is that the mayor can be grumpy. Welcome to the ninth floor, JJ, but hearing Dennis Williams complain about grumpy politicians is like hearing Keith Richards complain that Bruce plays too loudly.
You would hurt a homeless person to spite me, really? Ask the man if he is hiding relevant information from his public life. If he denies it look me up my contact info is in the paper.
So DPW will authorize the release of his police personnel file?
I have to buy your newspaper. With no Evening Journal and no Bulletin, there’s no other afternoon paper to read.
The reference was to Crane, take it or leave it.
Did you believe his mailing?? He did a lot of ranting and raving in private….would call for spending money for stuff, then vote no on the budget and then claim that everyone else wanted to spend the money. Not a bad tactic.
I think a lot of sane Doverians will be voting for Parrott in the fall. McG’s an asshole, but BennettWife ain’t any better. (Sorry, Will, but you don’t stand a chance.)
Well, i am not as knowledgeable on Parrott as i am on Andria Bennett.
I will have to do so. However, she has better qualities than Mr. M has. She can work with the members of the general assembly, she has her district residents as the prime reason for running. What was Mr. M promised to make him run. His last statement was he was going to retire to florida and take it easy….$$$$ I could go into her credentials and then go into what he does not have. What he does have is a loud, disrespectful mouth and he can cause disorder and then blame everyone else. But enough. Good night.
Both John Flaherty and Scott Spencer have addressed the no bid contract issue on wdel, as has Jeff Montgomery in several NJ articles. The $35 million , 20 yr contract for sewage plant was granted in 2012 based on a previous service contract going back several years. Major companies like Constellation Energy and others stated they would have loved to bid this work, but city had a good relationship with Honeywell and used some legal loophole to claim they did not need to bid it out. Bottom line, they likely could have saved millions if they competitively bid it in this economy & don’t be shocked if you see someBaker admin folks and maybe others take ‘consulting’ jobs with Honeywell after they leave office. Some suspect that contract was padded to take care of friendlys inside the administration. Which is exactly why a competitive bid on the largest public works project in city history should have been required….and thats why good gov’t folks like Flaherty and others are not happy with the process. City Council rolled over as well…