Voters, get off the bench

Philadelphia primary elections usually draw fewer voters than do the polls in a small Kansas town.

But in the aftermath of an embarrassing federal corruption trial that convicted the former city treasurer, residents might be searching for some fresh politicians in the spring air.

They’ll at least find some familiar names. A handful of South Philly folks are in the running for judicial posts.

This Tuesday, voters will nominate seven judges for Common Pleas Court from a pool of 23 candidates. Three slots for Municipal Court judge and one for traffic court judge also are up for grabs.

City Controller

After a few shakeups, the Democratic and Republican parties already know their general-election candidates for the coveted slot of city controller. Incumbent Jonathan Saidel plans to leave the office in preparation for a possible mayoral run in 2007.

Last week, former Common Pleas Judge John Braxton was removed from the Democratic ticket for omissions on his financial-disclosure form. His ouster left party-endorsed candidate state Rep. Alan Butkovitz the sole nominee.

There is buzz that Braxton could still run as an independent in the fall.

A member of the House since 1991, Butkovitz, 53, defines himself as "strongly analytical and independent" and said he would be an effective "watchdog that can move large bureaucracies and change behavior."

The city’s recent corruption trial is testament that change is needed at City Hall, said the Northeast Philly resident.

A close-knit relationship with Congressman Bob Brady, the chairman of the Democratic City Committee, is a plus for the state representative, who serves on four committees.

Butkovitz’s November opponent will be Republican Hillel Levinson, who was the city’s managing director from 1972-80.

"I had full oversight responsibility for the city’s 10 operating departments, including the budgets responsible for those departments," said Levinson, who lives near Roxborough.

Levinson pledges to police partisanship in municipal government if elected city controller.

"It gives me the perspective to be the watchdog that is necessary in today’s party-affiliation atmosphere," said Levinson, 68, who now specializes in reviving troubled firms through his company, Cahill Consulting Corp.

A shadow in Levinson’s past is a 1975 indictment for selling tickets to a Democratic banquet to city laborers. Levinson called the indictment "tainted" and specifically geared toward fingering then-mayor Frank Rizzo of wrongdoing. The charges were later thrown out.

Vito Canuso, chairman of the Republican City Committee, described Levinson, a former Democrat, as a savvy administrator.

"He knows the ins and outs of government," he said. "He knows where the failures are in the operation of government and is familiar with the city’s budget, the budget process and where it has to be opened up and looked at."

A Republican has not served as city controller since 1969.

District Attorney

Veteran District Attorney Lynne Abraham faces a primary challenge from one of her former assistants, Seth Williams.

Abraham, 64, has been campaigning on her record of anti-crime initiatives, including the Narcotics Strike Force and the Public Nuisance Task Force.

"There isn’t anybody who is tougher on crime than I am. You look at every crime bill that has passed and my handprint is on it," said the prosecutor, who spoke to local voters at Hawthorne Recreation Center, 12th and Carpenter streets, last month at a forum that also included her challenger.

Williams, 38, has been trying to pin the backlog in the city court system on Abraham, who he claims runs a disorganized office.

"The criminal-justice system in Philadelphia is broken. Fifty-five percent of the felony cases – where police risk their lives to apprehend – have the cases thrown out because the district attorney’s office wasn’t ready," he said at Hawthorne.

Williams wants to introduce community-based prosecution that would base assistant district attorneys at police stations, but Abraham dismisses the plan as impractical.

The victor will face Republican attorney Louis Schwartz in the general election.

Traffic Court

Two South Philly residents are eyeing the position of Traffic Court judge and both promise bring change to the system.

John Furey, best known locally as president and founder of the Broad Street West Civic Association, originally ran for the spot in 1991.

His community activism also includes serving as a Democratic committeeman and member of the Neighborhood Town Watch, Sunoco Community Advisory Panel and First District Police Advisory Council.

"I am used to dealing one on one with people and their problems," said Furey, a former deputy city commissioner and chief deputy register of wills. "My maturity, honesty and integrity are going to help me deal one on one with people in traffic court."

The community leader appeared to be training for the job when he became involved in a parking crackdown around Bregy Elementary School, 17th and Bigler streets, earlier this year. Furey said he started a dialogue among city and school officials and residents to cut down on ticketing around the school’s perimeter.

Furey, 61, said he would push for less emphasis on fines and more emphasis on driving safety and education in his courtroom, specifically for young motorists.

"When they go up to traffic court, parents usually pay the fines," said Furey, of the 2500 block of South Hicks Street. "I don’t think justice should be all about the fines. It should be fair, swift and balanced."

The candidate aims to challenge the very culture of traffic court by ending the "wheelings and dealings" associated with prosecutors and traffic offenders.

Former 39B ward leader Michael J. Sullivan also maintains he is for the people.

"I felt that some of the other candidates were not capable of filling the shoes of traffic court judge," said Sullivan, of Third and Jackson streets. "They don’t know the system like I know it. I know it in and out and front and back. I’ve spent many hours in traffic court with my constituents."

A member of the Operating Engineers Local 542, Sullivan said he comes from a family with "deep, deep Democratic roots." His great-grandfather was a founding member of the union.

"I feel that with these two things running through my blood – Democratic and a union background – I will be able to give fair, levelheaded decisions," he said.

The 41-year-old would like to abolish the rule that says paying off a ticket equals an admission of guilt.

"A lot of people don’t realize that paying a ticket outright means you’re admitting guilt and you’re subject to points and suspension," said Sullivan, a Democratic committeeman for nearly 18 years.

Furey had no harsh words for his neighbor and opponent.

"I have nothing but respect for anyone taking public office," he said. "It’s a tough job."

Both men face a tougher challenge in the frontrunner – former state Rep. Michael Horsey of West Philadelphia.

Common Pleas Court

The Democratic City Committee is endorsing eight of the nominees for Common Pleas judge, including Walter Olszewski, of the 2500 block of South 19th Street.

Gov. Rendell appointed the candidate to the bench as a Common Pleas judge for the city’s Family Court.

"I have developed a very good reputation on the bench and it gives me a leg up on the competition," said Olszewski, 40, who will serve a 10-year term if elected.

The Temple Law School graduate said he has helped families across the city.

"I am able to get services for kids who are the most needy in the community," he said. "It’s not their fault for the conditions they’re in. They sometimes have parents with drug or mental problems. They need someone to provide structure and support. That’s what I’m able to do in my courtroom."

While a good chunk of his day is spent in the courts at 1801 Vine St., the judge likes winding down in his neck of the woods. In his downtime, Olszewski is a coach at the Southeast Youth Athletic Association, Seventh and Bigler streets.

"I was born and raised in the neighborhood, so I understand the needs and problems of those associated in the neighborhood."