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Join The Green Team
11/7/2007
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Green team, please email your resume and cover letter to:
info@greenforphiladelphia.com
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Bill is now Councilman-Elect
11/7/2007
97% Precincts Completed:
BILL GREEN, 162,773, 15.97 %
JAMES F. KENNEY, 162,565, 15.95 %
WILSON GOODE JR., 157,748, 15.47 %
BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN, 145,713, 14.29 %
WILLIAM K. GREENLEE, 132,848, 13.03 %
More Election Results
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First Policy Paper Released
9/20/2007
We've released our first policy paper for the fall cycle.
The Green Plan for Service Reform: How Philadelphia can save between $214 and $340 million annually through creating a Paperless City Government, implementing a CitiStat system, creating a 311 call center, and adopting other reforms.
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Final Vote Count
5/31/2007
By BOB WARNER
The votes are in - and Michael Nutter is still the Democratic nominee for mayor of Philadelphia.
The city's official vote count, approved yesterday by a panel of three former judges, had Nutter leading the Democratic field with 106,805 votes, 36.6 percent of those cast.
His nearest rival, millionaire businessman Tom Knox, was more than 35,000 votes behind, with 24.6 percent. U.S. Rep. and Democratic Party chairman Bob Brady was third with 15.3 percent, U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah just behind with 15.2 percent and state Rep. Dwight Evans finished fifth with 7.8 percent.
The closest race in the city was the contest for Nutter's former seat in City Council, the 4th district. The official returns gave Curtis J. Jones Jr. a 470-vote margin over incumbent Carol Campbell with 9,144 votes for Jones and 8,674 for Campbell. Attorney Matthew McClure was a close third, with 8,304 votes.
Among the Democratic candidates for Council at large, the five nominations went to James F. Kenney, with 95,389 votes; W. Wilson Goode Jr., 79,798 votes; William K. Greenlee, 63,563 votes; Bill Green, 62,252 votes, and Blondell Reynolds Brown, 51,846 votes.
No. six, just out of the money, was the mayor's son, Sharif T. Street, with 47,879 votes.
The mayor's brother, T. Milton Street Sr., whose candidacy got more media attention than anyone else's, ran 17th among the 19 candidates, with 10,468 votes.
The four Democratic nominations for Common Pleas judgeships went to Linda Carpenter, with 77,101 votes; Alice Beck Dubow, with 63,877 votes; Ellen Green Ceisler, 46,888 votes, and Michael Erdos, 45,613 votes. In fifth place was Beverly Muldrow, with 42,535 votes. *
Click here for full article
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Mayors' sons are trying to move up: Bill Green is running for City Council.
5/7/2007
Patrick Kerkstra
Inquirer Staff Writer
Philadelphia may not have had its last Mayor Street, nor perhaps its last Mayor Green.
In the last few months, their sons - Sharif Street and Bill Green - have built impressive fledgling political bases as they run for at-large seats on City Council.
They are arguably the two Council challengers with the best shot to win on May 15, thanks in no small part to fathers who have given them instant name recognition, enviable connections, and lifelong schooling in the art of Philadelphia politics.
It's a potent combination, as mayoral sons Wilson Goode Jr. and Frank Rizzo can attest. They already serve on Council, creating the distinct possibility that four of the chamber's 17 seats could be held by sons of the city's mayors.
Street and Green aren't openly trying to follow their fathers into the mayor's office, at least not yet. But their names, the support they have gathered, and their own statements suggest they are open to the idea.
"I certainly wouldn't rule that out," Street said. "But that's a long way off."
Green was more circumspect.
"I don't intend to try to stay on City Council my entire life, but whether or not I try to get involved in another political act, I can't say," Green said.
Green and Street may both well lose on May 15. There are 19 Democrats competing for five at-large seats, including the five incumbents and a handful of other well-financed and -organized challengers.
But there is the sense that, win or lose, Green and Street won't be leaving Philadelphia's political stage anytime soon.
"Why do doctors' children decide to become doctors? Or why do lawyers' children decide to become lawyers? They've seen it in their house, they understand it, they know what's involved," Green said.
Yet Green has not always been about politics first.
His first job - which began abruptly when he dropped out of St. Joseph's University at 19 - was trading options at the London Stock Exchange, a career he continued in Amsterdam and New York.
Later, Green completed his undergraduate education at Auburn University before enrolling in the University of Pennsylvania School of Law.
"The advice my father gave me was, don't ever be dependent upon an election for your livelihood; you need to be an independent person," Green said.
Green and his family moved to Atlanta, and returned to Philadelphia in 2005. Some analysts have wondered whether his recent return is a political liability. Not so, Green said.
"I think it's one of my greatest assets. I've seen how other cities are handling similar problems far more successfully then we are in Philadelphia," said Green, who works at the law firm Pepper, Hamilton L.L.P.
As a candidate, Green is most comfortable talking about the city's big-picture problems: the economy, job creation, taxes and so on. He is impatient when discussing polls, ballot position, and other electoral minutiae that so obsess the city's political class.
But he always chooses his words carefully, couching his criticism and making a clear effort to be diplomatic.
His father? Not so much.
"Legislation is serious and sophisticated business, and I could show you again and again how Council messes it up," William J. Green III said in an interview at his son's campaign headquarters last week.
"Frankly, they haven't been bright enough, and they need somebody in there that's a crackerjack lawyer, has a good brain, is politically sophisticated, and has seen it since he's a child."
As he said this, the elder Green, 68, beamed at his 43-year-old son as though he had just won a Little League championship.
"I am proud, and I think, if he's elected, everybody's going to be proud, because he's going to make a mark so fast and so strong that they'll be stunned," said Green, who served as mayor from 1980 to 1984.
The younger Green blushed a bit. A little later, as his father fired off another shot at City Council, the candidate sighed, shook his head, and planted it in his hands.
"Does that mean I should stop talking?" the elder Green asked, chuckling. "Sorry, son," he said in a stage whisper.
The former mayor answered one last question. Would he like to see his son become mayor?
"I will pray every day that doesn't happen," he said before erupting in laughter again.
Click here for full article
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Green Gaining Momentum
5/3/2007
Bill Green, Democratic candidate for City Council At-Large, today announced he has won the support of a diverse group of important business, labor and grassroots organizations including the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), the Sheet Metal Workers International Union Local 19 and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 8.
Green was one of only three candidates for City Council At-Large to receive the ACORN endorsement along with Blondell Reynolds-Brown and Wilson Goode. Bill Green is the only non-incumbent ACORN is supporting for an At-Large seat.
In a press release announcing their endorsement, ACORN PAC Chairman John Moore stated, "On behalf of the committee we pledge our full support for these candidates and look forward to working together in City Hall to help low and moderate-income families get affordable housing, to keep the utilities on, and to repair their houses."
Today's announcement underscores the broad range of support Green is receiving and the recognition of his willingness to reach out to all Philadelphians to address the challenges facing the city.
Green said: "We must bring people together in order to build a better Philadelphia. I am proud of the diverse support my campaign is receiving and believe it shows the desire Philadelphians have for change. Our city faces great challenges, but we have even greater resources. I will work with business, labor and community leaders to build a better city for our children."
The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce is the premier advocate of the region?s business community, representing more than 2500 companies in Philadelphia County.
Philadelphia ACORN has been at the forefront of fighting for low and moderate income families since 1977.
Today?s announcement follows the endorsements of several other key labor organizations including Building and Constructions Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98, United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1776, Cement Masons? and Plasters Local 592, Sprinkler Fitters Local 692, Iron Workers Local 401, Gas Workers Employees Local 686, International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 463 and the United Auto Workers (UAW) State Council.
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Building Trades Endorse Green
4/10/2007
A tit-for-tat zap by Building Trades
April 10, 2007
By Patrick Kerkstra
Inquirer Staff Writer
In political payback for a series of unanimous City Council votes that could derail casino construction, the Building Trades Council has opted not to endorse any Council incumbents in May's primary election.
The unprecedented decision - reached quietly last week by the Building Trades executive committee - will deprive Council members of campaign cash and election-day supporters, as well as the votes of at least some Building Trades members.
The news stunned incumbents, particularly those, such as Juan Ramos, who have long been backed by labor generally and the construction unions in particular.
"Did I stutter?" responded Building Trades Council president Pat Gillespie when asked if longtime union friends would indeed be among those locked out.
"How bad do I feel about this? How disappointed am I in people who I considered friends?" Gillespie asked. "This is distasteful for me, but they're the ones who voted for it."
At issue is a sequence of Council votes that put a question on the May ballot asking whether Philadelphians wish to limit casino construction to a handful of remote sites that casino proponents call untenable.
Instead of backing incumbents, the Building Trades Council will work to elect at-large challengers Bill Green and Sharif Street, Gillespie said.
Street's campaign did not say where the candidate stood on the referendum.
Green said he likely would have voted with Council to put it on the ballot. When told that, Gillespie said the Building Trades Council was backing Green because he is "an honest and intelligent guy."
Gillespie is worried that if the referendum question is approved, his council's union members ultimately could be deprived of more than $1.5 billion in construction work, which includes the cost of the casinos as well as the Convention Center expansion that is to be funded by casino proceeds.
Most members of City Council are very friendly to organized labor. But with all facing reelection this year, they are also keenly aware of growing opposition to the proposed SugarHouse and Foxwoods casinos along the Delaware River.
"So they're going to punish us for this, and ignore all the other projects we have collectively supported over the years: the stadiums, the Comcast building, the 10-year tax abatement. None of that's being remembered," said Councilman Frank DiCicco, who has led the anti-casino movement on City Council.
DiCicco has a frosty relationship with Gillespie and did not expect to have Building Trades backing.
But at-large Councilman Ramos has deep and personal ties to organized labor, and has come to rely on union support in elections.
Yesterday, Ramos called Gillespie his friend three times and said, "I respect his views all the time and every time."
"It was a very difficult decision for me," Ramos said of his vote to put the referendum on the ballot. "But my labor credentials are impeccable, and I think this was the right thing to do."
The Building Trades Council also decided last week to publicly campaign against the referendum question, Gillespie said. The question asks voters to prohibit casinos from any parcel within 1,500 feet of any Philadelphia home, school, park, or place of worship. That restriction, coupled with a state law that prohibits casinos at sites within 10 miles of racetracks, would leave casino operators few, if any, viable sites in Philadelphia.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has challenged the referendum in court, seeking to strike it from the ballot. Yesterday, the Foxwoods casino joined that suit.
Not to be outdone, anti-casino activists filed three lawsuits against the gaming board. Collectively, the suits allege that the board violated the Sunshine Act, ignored environmental-impact and traffic studies, and disregarded local zoning laws.
Daniel Hunter, a member of Casino Free Philadelphia, said yesterday that he welcomed the chance to debate the Building Trades Council ahead of the May 15 election.
"We're gearing up for it. Democracy is about different opinions, and we think it would be very useful to have a debate," Hunter said.
Click here for full article
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Green gets the biggies
4/9/2007
Green gets the biggies
Endorsements are a dime a dozen in election season. Most make little difference, especially in City Council races where incumbents enjoy huge advantages over little-known challengers.
But there are a handful that do matter on Election Day, and at-large City Council candidate Bill Green - son of former Mayor William J. Green - is piling up a bunch of those that count.
Gov. Rendell gave Green his imprimatur last week, saying he would be "a breath of fresh air on Council."
Green is lining up big-time labor support as well. He said he had the backing of the politically powerful Local 98 electricians' union, headed by John Dougherty, and that of the Building Trades Council as well. Green is set to announce additional union backing today.
That's thousands of boots on the ground working on Green's behalf come Election Day. The value of Rendell's endorsement is harder to judge, but it can't hurt a candidate who is styling himself in the governor's image. It doesn't hurt either that Rendell is otherwise staying out of the Council campaigns. Green is the only candidate to get his support.
"There is nobody in this state I would rather have the support of," said Green, who has known Rendell since boyhood. - Patrick Kerkstra
Click here for full article
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Bill in the News
3/6/2007
One of those stopping to chat and drink was Bill Green, who is running for City Council at-large.
Green, whose namesake father was mayor in the early 1980s, is an attorney at Pepper Hamilton. He said he is running on a platform of change. Heard that before? Maybe, but unlike many of the other "change" candidates, Green knows the political process well enough to have a chance of getting elected.
"I used to sit at the kitchen table with my father and discuss the same problems," he said. "Crime, schools and no economic development because of our tax structure. I am the most credible change candidate with a vision."
Green has assembled Rendell's old team for his campaign, which includes Trish Enright, Dan Fee and Neil Oxman.
Click here for full article
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Phillyville Endorses Bill
3/2/2007
Bill is proud to announce that the Phillyville Blog has chosen to endorse his candidacy for City Council At-Large. We expect this to be the first of many endorsements.
Click here to be redirected to Phillyville Blog
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Bill Green is definitely running
3/2/2007
Bill Green, 42, (he prefers that to the rather stuffy but accurate William
J. Green IV) is definitely running for City Council at large.
He's the son of the former mayor and grandson of the former congressman and
Democratic Party boss (whose name is on the federal courthouse building).
He's a graduate of Auburn University and Penn Law School and now a lawyer at
Pepper Hamilton.
Green's maiden electoral voyage will include at least one member of his
dad's old team: campaign adman Neil Oxman. Dan Fee and Trish Enright, who
worked on Gov. Rendell's campaign, will be consultants. Also on board are
two guys formerly on U.S. Sen. Bob Casey's campaign staff - Abe Dyk and Seth
Levy.
As for any role that his father, the former mayor, might play, Green the
younger joked that his father will act as "consigliere."
Please, Young Bill, for old time's sake, get him to give you one of his
lectures to the press for use the first time you get a stupid question.
As forecast in Feb. 9 Clout, this officially brings to four the number of
mayoral offspring running for City Council at large. The others are
incumbents Wilson Goode and Frank Rizzo and challenger Sharif Street. Still
missing: Jesse Rendell.
Philadelphia Daily News
Fri, Mar. 02, 2007
Click here for full article |
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6/1/2007 7:00 AM
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