Defense Council

The district representatives on City Council from South Philadelphia have made headlines during the last four years, often for clashing with the mayor. On Nov. 4, residents east and west of Broad Street will get the chance to tell their councilmember what they really think about the job he or she is doing.

Council President Anna Verna and Councilman Frank DiCicco are up for reelection, and both will face Republican opponents next week. The big issues surrounding each race are much the same as those faced by the mayoral candidates: taxes and crime.

First District

Democrat: Frank DiCicco

DiCicco, 57, is seeking his third consecutive term in City Council. He has authored and sponsored many pieces of legislation during his tenure, often in an effort to reduce taxes.

The councilman was probably the most vocal proponent of property tax reform, and he introduced legislation last spring, along with Councilman Michael Nutter, to continue cuts to the wage tax, despite opposition from Mayor Street.

DiCicco believes there is room in the city budget for more cuts, including those proposed by Republican Sam Katz.

And with crime on the rise in the Third and Fourth police districts — both in DiCicco’s territory — he wants the city to examine how Operation Safe Streets has affected some areas of the city but not others.


Republican: Rick Cataldi

Cataldi is a 43-year-old attorney/waiter who is a newcomer on the political landscape. He grew up in Port Richmond and lived in Center City before moving to Bella Vista 10 years ago. He lives near Seventh and Fitzwater streets with his wife and two children.

His campaign is focusing mostly on two popular issues: taxes and crime.

Senior citizens, he said, are being forced from their homes because they cannot afford their property taxes. Cataldi has proposed the city address the problem by freezing property tax payments at their current level, but continuing to reassess homes. Then, he said, when a homeowner sells his property, he owes the city the difference in the reassessed value.

Cataldi also does not believe Operation Safe Streets has been effectivecitywide.

He maintains that, if elected, he could push partisan politics aside and introduce meaningful legislation, despite being a member of Council’s minority party.

Second District

Democrat: Anna Verna

Verna has ruled her district since 1976 and she has said that, if reelected, she intends to seek the Council presidency again.

During the next four years, Verna has said, she sees the legislature facing the task of keeping people in the city. Critical to that, she believes, is improving the public schools, providing affordable housing and lowering taxes.

Verna, 72, cosponsored legislation last session to cap property tax increases at 10 percent annually. The legislation passed in City Council, only to be vetoed by the mayor.

The Council president also supports continued reductions of the wage tax, but believes the city cannot afford the Katz plan without affecting city services.

Recently, she has been critical of Operation Safe Streets, saying that criminals are simply moving to new neighborhoods.

Verna’s office also has been instrumental in the progress of housing programs, like the senior-citizen complex at 16th and Reed, 18 new market-rate homes at 16th and Federal, and the development of the Anthony Wayne School at 28th and Morris.


Republican: Paula Terreri

Terreri, 48, is a former candy-store manager running her first campaign for public office. Born in Port Richmond, she has lived in Girard Estate for the last 27 years. She has been a block captain for 22 years and was elected committeeperson of the 26th Ward’s 13th Division two years ago.

Terreri is promising better city services and has latched onto the Katz platform, including his proposal to cut the wage tax. The Council candidate believes tax reductions are the only way to keep residents from fleeing to the suburbs. She also has questioned the logic behind Operation Safe Streets, contending drug dealers can simply elude the visibly stationed police officers.