Fumo Lives

State Sen. Vincent Fumo will be on the Democratic primary ballot April 27. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that, despite mistakes on his filings with the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation, Fumo will face voters in the primary.

Fumo's opponent, James Tayoun Jr., had challenged Fumo's affidavits for candidacy in Commonwealth Court on two counts. Tayoun's first charge was that Fumo failed to fill in his polling information on his first affidavit. The second charge was that one of Fumo's aides signed the senator's name on the replacement affidavit.

The Commonwealth Court ruled that these were clerical errors that would not prohibit Fumo from appearing on the ballot. Tayoun appealed to the state Supreme Court.

The Tayoun camp said it was not surprised about the high court's decision.

Meanwhile, voters in Fumo's district have never seen so much of him. And while Fumo has been making the rounds of various civic and community meetings, the FBI's investigation into contributions to a Fumo-linked nonprofit from PECO has not been an issue. Likewise, voters don't seem overly concerned with Fumo's pricey dinners at La Veranda on the public dime.

For example, after Fumo spoke at a Society Hill Civic Association candidates' forum, there was time for questions from the audience. Fumo was asked pointed questions about such life-or-death issues as The Real World and unions, as well as casinos. Questions about PECO, Verizon or his use of yachts at the Seaport Museum were not on the menu.

Apparently, no one cares.

Who's Choice?

Sheila Ballen also got good news from the state Supreme Court last week, when they decided to keep her on the Democratic primary ballot as well. Ballen is running against state Rep. Marie Lederer in the 175th District.

Margaret Rzepski, a ward leader in the district and Lederer ally, challenged Ballen's signatures on her nominating petitions. Ballen had more then enough signatures on her petitions, but a large number of voters who signed did not add the current year when they signed their name and date. The Commonwealth Court ruled that since the form had the year printed on it, that was sufficient. Rzepski appealed to the Supremes.

Michael O'Brien, Lederer's chief of staff said, "We respect the court's decision and look forward to Marie winning on April 27."

Ballen, meanwhile, mailed a flyer headlined "Marie Lederer's Anti-Choice Votes" to voters in the district. Ballen claims Lederer has voted anti-choice on numerous bills over the years.

"Marie has always voted for a complete palette for choice," said O'Brien. He declined to comment on Ballen's flyer, saying he had not seen it.

98's No Squilla

Local 98, the electricians union, will be mailing out its endorsements shortly. In addition to supporting Fumo, 98 endorsed Andrew Hohns, who is running against incumbent state Rep. Babette Josephs in the 182nd District's Democratic primary.

The thrust of 98's energy will be focused on the fight between Democratic state Rep. Bill Keller and Mark Squilla in the 184th District. Local 98 is behind former longshoreman Keller.

Leland Beloff and Ozzie Myers are backing Squilla.

Ed Case

Meanwhile, Babette Josephs wrangled together archenemies Gov. Ed Rendell and Mayor John Street at her fundraiser Monday night at the law firm of Raynes, McCarty, Binder, Ross & Mundy.

"Rendell has been supporting me all along," said Josephs. "He has given me $5,000 for my campaign."

She added that she had been fielding calls from her constituents about a flyer sent out by Josephs' other opponent in the

Democratic primary, Terry Gillen, that has a picture of the hopeful with Rendell. "I have to tell people that just because she [Gillen] is sending around an old picture of herself with Rendell doesn't mean he's supporting her."

"I'm stunned, is this how she's spending her days?" asked Gillen of Josephs' comments.

She adds, "I was a member of Rendell's administration. He has to support Babette because they made a deal on the tax vote. But she was walking Bob Casey Jr. around three weeks before the gubernatorial primary."

Josephs also took a swipe at Hohns, calling him a "Republican in Democratic clothes." She added that "the Republicans are behind him."

"Outrageous," Hohns responded. "I guess that's all a 20-year incumbent can come up with, and I guess she thinks [City Controller] Jonathan Saidel is a Republican."

Saidel has endorsed Hohns.

Boys on Film

The 13th Philadelphia Film Festival opened with a bang on April 8. After the opening film, Shade, leading men Stuart Townsend (Charlize Theron's beau) and Bo Hopkins took in a private party at Laurada Byers' penthouse. Townsend had just come in from L.A. and hit the ample buffet catered by Bacchus, and both he and Hopkins remarked on the view of City Hall from Byers' balcony. "I'm impressed with City Hall," Townsend said, "and I wouldn't mind making a movie here."