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Read the news of the day in less than 10 minutes — not that we’re counting.
Election Day is a little more than a week away and in anticipation candidates are ramping up their messages, whether it’s saying the police commissioner needs to go or mailing an attack ad of your opponent sitting in a hot tub. Yeah, it’s getting a little crazy. Elsewhere, Mayor Michael Nutter is somehow making the PPA look good. Billy Penn has all those stories and more, coupled with music, as part of the #BillyPennPlaylist (click here for the Spotify list).
“I Won’t Back Down,” Tom Petty
Williams, perhaps wanting to make a final splash before election day comes, took aim at Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey and his backing of the stop-and-frisk tactic. Mayor Michael Nutter proceeded to say that anyone who is not smart enough to keep Ramsey “is not smart enough to run the city.” Whoa. Williams went on the offensive later that same day, calling a Wednesday press conference to say, basically, yup I meant it.
“Caught Up,” Usher
So a Philadelphia woman has apparently been stealing from restaurants the last several months getting caught here and there and slapped on the wrist. Then this week she got caught big time, at Vedge.
“I’m So Excited,” The Pointer Sisters
Endorsement season is in full force and never was this sentiment presented as enthusiastically as by Philly Mag and the Inquirer. So excited was the editorial board for its choice of Tony Williams that we quickly found out the board didn’t actually want to endorse him. As for Philly Mag, it selected Jim Kenney after writing, “the happy warrior we were hoping for, the sure bet to keep Philadelphia moving forward, never emerged.”
“Unbelievers,” Vampire Weekend
Guys, the state House doesn’t even believe in itself anymore. It wants to reduce its size by 25 percent and cut back on state senators, too. The bill that would make this happen passed the House this week.
“Swimming Pools,” Kendrick Lamar
May of this year is also attack ad season. And the world of attack ads got a little weird this week, with Kenyatta Johnson sending folks in the 2nd District a mailer featuring a picture of Ori Feibush in a hot tub.
“Nothing Compares 2 U,” Sinead O’Connor
Sad times at the Porch at 30th Street Station. The food trucks are gone! In fairness, it sounds like something cool is coming to replace them but still, the food trucks are gone!
“Electric Feel,” MGMT
The time to buy an electric car is now if you live in Philly. Do it, and you can get your own parking spot in front of your home.
“Ayo Technology,” 50 Cent and Justin Timberlake
You know you’re sounding desperate when the PPA calls you out for blocking innovation. But that’s exactly where the Nutter administration is when it comes to an app that would allow you to pay for parking or extend your parking time via your smartphone. Nutter doesn’t want the app because the city won’t be able to collect as many fines that it can use to pay for schools.
“Fancy,” Drake
Former Mayor John Street is fancy, huh? He looked pretty spiffy in his Temple hat and sweatshirt or whatever amongst a group of former mayors in suits while endorsing 7th District City Council candidate Maria Quinones-Sanchez.
John Street says Philly desperately needs Maria Q Sanchez for “well-endowed, intellectually” city council. pic.twitter.com/hswt2qdR2M
— Billy Penn (@billy_penn) May 5, 2015
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“Don’t Drink The Water,” Dave Matthews Band
Fracking chemicals were found in Western PA drinking water. Hope you have a really good Brita!
