Also this issue:

Who? Us?
MOVE changes the tone of its e-mails in the wake of John Gilbride’s murder.
-Daryl Gale

Dual Murality
To some, it's fantastic. To others, an eyesore. No matter, the mural at 15th and Waverly stays for now.
-Jenn Carbin

'Lude Behavior
Main Line gang busted for alleged narcotics sales.
-Brendan McGarvey

Holding Down the Fort
-Daryl Gale

Market Volatility
-Daniel Brook

Soundbites
-Deborah Bolling

The Bell Curve
City Paper's weekly gauge of Philly's Quality of Life

October 3- 9, 2002

political notebook

Charismatic Visionary or Naked Power Wielder?

by Mary F. Patel

Last Thursday, guests at the Center City Proprietors Association’s monthly lunchspeak were treated to an hour or so of Carl Singley.

About 30 people lunched at Opus 251 while Singley dished on life.

Singley was engaging. Singley was riveting.

Why was Singley there?

"For the last 18 years I have been researching, writing and speaking on leadership," said Singley. "So I told my wife that must be why I was asked to come here today."

"And she said, ŒNigger, please. The reason they invited you to speak is because you are having this public argument with John Street and you've got a foul mouth,'" said Singley, adding, "I'm a big believer in public discourse about ideas and concepts."

Guests had some idea of Singley’s topic because of the letter placed on their plates from Singley, titled “The Street Mayoralty: A Failure of Leadership.” This was Singley’s account of what he believed to be Street’s failures.

It is no news that Singley has had a parting of ways with the mayor.

Singley was once Street’s mentor and friend back before Street became famous. The fallout came shortly before Street became mayor. More on that later.

In his letter, Singley says Street lacks vision and has poor communication skills. Organizational capacity? Forget about it. Political skills? Nil. Cognitive capacity and emotional intelligence? Not with this mayor.

Singley regaled guests with his conversation with Street’s ally Johnny Dougherty. It had been big news when Singley’s expletive-laden message to Street -- through Dougherty -- became public.

Singley felt obligated to clear the air.

“I need to clarify this misunderstanding about this street encounter between myself and John Dougherty that has been reported where I was supposed to have said, ‘Johnny, I want you to give the mayor a message,’” said Singley. “‘Tell him, fuck him. Tell him don’t fuck with me. And tell him I don’t throw anything away.’”

That statement, Singley said at the lunch, “just completely damaged my reputation.”

“Now let me tell you what I actually said. See, Johnny heard something different. What I said to him was, would you deliver this message to the mayor. Tell him, don’t fool with me. And tell him I’m not afraid of him. And thirdly, as for throwing anything away, tell him I’m the owner of a condominium in Philadelphia and the city won’t pay to collect my trash, so I can’t throw anything away,” said Singley.

“So that’s actually what I said to him, but Johnny Dougherty, being a guy from the streets, heard something different so it was a matter of interpretation,” explained Singley, adding that he understood his conversation about the mayor is a one-way street.

“Although he’s not talking, I am,” said Singley. “My disagreement with him is fundamental.”

Singley said that he had his doubts about Street before he became mayor.

When Street told his transition team that everyone loved him, Singley recalled reminding him that he had almost lost to the Republican Sam Katz in the general election and that no, everybody does not love you.

It wasn’t always thus. When Street was Council president, Singley and his old law firm, Singley and Associates, received hundreds of thousands of dollars in contracts from the city’s law department and a lot of bond work.

Street took care of his former friend at the time.

Now, Singley is at the conservative Republican firm of Blank Rome. He mixes with heavy-hitting GOP moneyman David Girard-diCarlo.

It is out there that Singley wants to run a candidate against Street next year in the Democratic primary election. State Rep. Dwight Evans and City Councilman Michael Nutter are being floated around as possible contenders.

But after listening to Singley, Street’s primary opponent is a non-issue.

It is most likely that Street will beat any primary opposition.

What Singley seems to be waiting for is Katz to make another go of it against Street and this time, win.