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REPRINTED FROM THENEXTMAYOR.COMMarch 22, 2007 press release, (submitted via e-mail) |
For Immediate Release
Contact: Ryan McKeon, 215-238-0235
Democratic Candidate for City Council in the First District Vern Anastasio called on his opponent Frank DiCicco to introduce an ordinance in City Council that will permanently amend the zoning code to exclude any casino development from with 1500 feet of neighborhoods today.
Anastasio personally drafted the legislation that would permanently drive casinos from any neighborhood. "It's easy to follow 27,000 people who demand that this issue be placed on the ballot on May 15th. It's easy to follow the anti-casino activists who have been working to fight the casinos since 2005. But what we need is a City Councilman who will actively lead the fight and be proactive" Anastasio said.
With the May 15th ballot question looming, casino developers will likely begin a multi-million dollar advertising campaign to convince Philadelphians in other parts of the city to vote against the people of the 1st District. With the Anastasio Amendment passed in City Council, the proposed casinos will be driven from the Delaware River waterfront and every other neighborhood with the stroke of a pen.
Proponents of the casinos counter that such a bold move in council will cause casino developers to challenge this action in court and therefore, the issue should be left to the political process. Anastasio welcomes such a challenge: "If these casino investors want to fight us in court, they will do it either way. We face these two casinos because there was too much politics in the process. My amendment takes this issue out of politics and places it where it belongs: in the realm of responsible public policy."
The idea of this amendment was recently proposed by several anti-casino activists and candidates attending various anti-casino town hall meetings throughout the First Council District.
Anastasio concluded: "I've written the ordinance. I've put my opponent's name on it for him. I've even dated it for him. All he has to do is take my amendment and introduce it in Council. It's not enough to work behind the scenes. It's not enough to play catch-up. After all this time, I would hope we have learned that reacting to popular opinion late in the game does nothing to protect our neighborhoods. It's time to take a stand and lead on this issue---not merely follow community activists."
The Anastasio Anti Casino Amendment follows this release. Anastasio awaits a reply from his opponent, who claims to support recent anti-casino efforts wholeheartedly.
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Vern Anastasio and his family have called the 1st Council District home for six generations. Anastasio is a former aide to Councilman Joe Vignola, former Chief of Staff in the PA House of Representatives and has spent the last 15 years in business, law and government. Vern is the founder of the Bella Vista United Civic Association, a member of Casino Free Philadelphia, Neighbors Allied for the Best Waterfront, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. He fought for more police protection after the South Street Mardi Gras riots; hosted city-wide panels on responsible development and zoning reform; and an advocate for bans on nepotism and moonlighting as well as quality neighborhood services for everyone.
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Vern Anastasio
Democrat for City Council
www.vernanastasio.com