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					Also this issue: Repeat Offender? Despite complaints, the city has rehired Prison Health Services to run its inmate health care. -Gwen Shaffer Allah Behind Bars Even La Cosa Nostra members fear the Nation of Islam in jail. -Brendan McGarvey Miracle on Market Street -Daniel Brook The Bell Curve City Paper's weekly gauge of Philly's Quality of Life

November 7-13, 2002

political notebook

Putting the Fish Behind You

by Mary F. Patel

Now that Ed Rendell is the governor-elect, what will happen to his main campaign crew, those stalwart operatives who have been with him throughout the race? Will any of them take jobs in the governor’s office?

As stated in this column last week, Rendell's campaign manager, David Sweet, also a partner in the major law firm Pepper Hamilton, says he would consider becoming chief of staff to the governor but it has not been discussed. If he did get the position, Sweet would be taking a major pay cut.

David Sanko, chief of staff to Gov. Mark Schweiker, makes $128,000 annually. That is a drop in the bucket for a good lawyer, let alone a firm's partner. However, Schweiker's press office said that the salary for chief of staff is negotiable. (The governor's salary is set in stone: $142,189.)

Media consultant Neil Oxman, president of the Campaign Group, handled Rendell's commercials and was his adviser. Oxman would never work for anyone but himself and does so well that he spends months a year golfing in Scotland. If Sam Katz runs for mayor next year, Oxman will most likely consult on his campaign, as he did in 1999.

Charlie Breslin has been with Rendell for 22 months, traveling statewide with him. Breslin says that he hasn't really thought about what he is going to do after the election, but will probably go back to what he was doing before. A business consultant, Breslin also teaches law at Penn and advises clients who participate in the Welfare to Work program. He may consult for Rendell.

Herb Vederman has been raising money for Rendell -- no easy task since the campaign had to start from scratch last May after that bruising primary fight with Bob Casey Jr. Rendell effectively spent $17 million then, but raised $20 million more.

Vederman was Rendell's deputy mayor for economic development but on virtually a volunteer basis -- he was paid $1 annually because he is independently wealthy. Vederman said last month at a Rendell fundraiser that he may go to Harrisburg if asked.

Media relations specialist Dan Fee -- at 32, the youngest member of the campaign's inner circle -- was the senior policy adviser in the U.S. Department of Commerce under Bill Clinton and later became involved with Al Gore's campaign. He then was the state director for the Democratic State Committee and until last December was the spokesperson for City Council President Anna Verna.

What are his plans? "A vacation," says Fee. "Florida and then Colorado."

On future employment, Fee says, "I have no plans and there have been no conversations." Would he consider a position in Harrisburg? "You can never say no," says Fee.

Michael Untermeyer is Rendell's "advance man." He had expressed interest in running for judge of the Common Pleas Court in the past. He is not sure what he will do now that the election is over. Before he defected over to the Democrats, Untermeyer worked for Attorney General Mike Fisher in the Department of Prosecution and Forfeiture.

What did his former boss say when he saw him on the campaign trail with Rendell? "He was very nice about it," said Untermeyer. "But his staff, that's another story."

Our Lady of Knock

It's been a long time coming, but finally last Saturday, the Irish Memorial made its debut at Front and Chestnut streets.

The memorial honors the memory of those who died or fled Ireland during An Gorta Mor (Irish Gaelic for "the great hunger"), the massive potato crop failures of the mid-19th century. The concept for the memorial began almost 12 years ago, when Fairmount Park Commission granted permission for a memorial at Front and Chestnut streets. Sculptor Glenna Goodacre was chosen after a national search.

The memorial dedication followed a Mass at St. Augustine's.

The unveiling was also a political stop for prominent local Irish, such as Local 98 leader Johnny Dougherty and his little brother, Common Pleas Court Judge Kevin Dougherty.

Never one to miss a good Irish event, Municipal Court Judge Seamus McCaffery made the scene, as did Juan Ramos, the city's director for fair labor standards.

Ramos denies rumors that he intends to run next year for a City Council at-large seat and knock out Councilman Angel Ortiz. "I hear rumors that all those who lost in 1999 are running again, but I am not," said Ramos.

The Money Starts Here

Any other Democrat running next year might want a piece of this pie.

State Sen. Vincent Fumo raised $800,000 on Oct. 30 at a fundraiser for himself at the Union League. Fumo's spokesperson, Gary Tuma, said that the senator will use some of the money to help other Democrats.