Phoenix, meet your new city councilmember: Sal DiCiccio.
DiCiccio is a former councilmember, and has run for Secretary of State and congress. He has also been called “self-serving” by former Republican mayor Skip Rimsza and is a staunch right winger. He’s been a strong supporter of the excesses of Andrew Thomas and Joe Arpaio. To top it off, he wrote an alarmist piece for the Arizona Republic in 2007 that skirted uncomfortably close to racism.
So, who would put such a guy on the Phoenix City Council? Who would think that DiCiccio would a good person to replace the level headed Greg Stanton?
The deciding vote: Phil Gordon. Apparently, despite there being over twenty candidates who had applied, despite previously stating that he wouldn’t support DiCiccio, he was the fifth and deciding vote for DiCiccio.
This guy doesn’t still want to run in a Democratic primary, does he?
Ya know, I kind of admired him for his standing up against Joe Arpaio late last year. Now, he goes and pulls a stunt like this.
19 Comments
I would just like to add that Gordon had a viable candidate if I do say so myself
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It was a little upsetting to watch how all this played out and all the different players in the mix. It would have been nice to have Councilman Stanton replaced by someone who closely aligned themself with Stantons views – that is what the voters supported.
I’m just sitting here shaking my head from side to side…
I am disapointed and will be making sure that my councilman understands that I wanted him to make his vote for Kennedy.
Oh well.
I was hoping for someone fresh and new to get this council moving again.
He’s not standing smartly on both sides of the fence, but actually rather stupidly.
To stand in the middle productively, you have to first become an elder statesman, and then become indispensible to both sides (John McCain seems to have figured this out most of the time anyway.)
But Phil Gordon is doing it ass-backwards, so that he is both loathed and distrusted by both Democrats and Republicans, and centrists still can see that he is inconsistent and untrustworthy.
He’s an unprincipled career politician without virtue. Always looking out for Number One, ready to throw the people under the bus.
Sounds like a candidate for Governor.
The city needs new leasership. We can’t keep bringing the same people and expect to get better results. Thelda Williams scratched and crawled to get her seat back. Now Diciccio. There were many good candidates to choose from and the city coucil (with the exception of a few forward thinkers) chose old problems over new ideas. I think it’s too bad.
I just want to make sure that whoever is posting as Ruben G that they make it clear that they are not at all related to me Ruben Gallego. I am a city of Phoenix employee and can not get involved in city politics. Whoever posted using the handle Ruben G did this with the intent of harming my employment. If you have any dignity you will reveal your true name or at least confirm that you are not me. When you refuse to do either, then we will know what is your true intent.
Thank you,
Ruben Gallego
Cross Michael Nowakowski off your list as well. What kind of democrat gets behind a right wing wack like Chris DeRose? Lord help us all.
I just want to make sure that whoever is posting as JP, makes it clear that they are not me — Jana Paulson. I work for the state and cannot get involved in politics. . . blah, blah, blah.
What??? Are you kidding? Ruben G or Ruben Gallego, if you are a city employee then why are you here at 2:00 in the afternoon?
Jana, even government employees are entitled to take breaks. State employees are even allowed to use the “internets” during those breaks. I don’t know about city of Phoenix employees, but I suspect they are afforded the same rights. Do you have something against government employees? Are they slave labor? Perhaps Ruben has been furloughed and is taking an unpaid day off. Of maybe he is home sick or on vacation.
Home sick unfortunately.
What? During this time of “fiscal crisis” you are talking about breaks and sick leave? No wonder why the budget is in trouble. You are a servant of the taxpayer, Mr. Galego. We pay you for your work, not your leisure time. You are not entitled to take time off. Our young men fighting for our families in Iraq don’t get breaks and you shouldn’t either.
Just another example of waste in our State.
jp, there’s no way that Michael Nowakowski would support a Republican for any office. Nonetheless a Republican like Chris DeRose. DeRose ran for legislature in Tempe and it was hard to tell him apart from Russell Pierce. Nowakowski is a TRUE Democrat. NEVER would he support DeRose.
I’ll break this to you gently “NoWay”, Nowakowski is in bed with the police union. The same police union that supported Arpaio/Thomas against Saban/Nelson. The kicker is that the police union is backing Chris DeRose. They were all over the place lobbying for him to the get Greg Stanton’s seat. Nowakowski was pushing for DeRose to get the seat until the last minute, even though there were many good Democrats to choose from. Nowakowski is carrying the police unions water. Don’t you wonder where he has been in the Arpaio fight?? Not front and center, that’s for sure. He can’t be against Arpaio and get the support of the police union.
I’m betting we see a whole new Nowakowski emerge. He’ll make up some stupid reason why he HAS TO support DeRose and ask to be forgiven later. Mark my words.
I can count with one hand the number of elected officials that have supported Maricopa Citizens for Safety and Accountability efforts to hold Sheriff Arpaio accountable for his unjust practices and policies. The group has consistently attended the Maricopa Board of Supervisors Meetings, organized community hearings, prayer vigils, and has had 9 arrest since we have spoken u.
During this time, Michael Nowakowski has supported MCSA efforts, spoken at the public hearings, , has spoken up at press conferences of members of MCSA who have been unjustly arrested, and continually meets with the group to assist in anyway possible to hold Arpaio accountable. Michael, has broken the silence together with MCSA and he does these with no fear of retaliation or intimidation from Sheriff Arpaio.
MCSA-Project Director
WTF, why did you take down my last comment?
I was agreeing with you Raquel. Michael Nowakowski is the only council member that has stood up against the Sherriff. Williams is his pawn on the council. Phil stood up purely for political reasons. Michael did it because it was the right thing to do.
Republitard,
Are you joking? I hope so. If you knew anything about Ruben Gallego, who happens to be a Harvard grad, Iraq
Republitard,
Are you joking? I hope so. If you knew anything about Ruben Gallego, who happens to be a Harvard grad, Iraq war veteran, hard worker and dedicated public servant, you wouldn’t be saying such idiotic stuff. You owe him an apology.
Ann, you are a good Democrat and I admire what you stand for. Ruben is a Democrat of convenience. . . you know the type. Ruben is best of friends with Chris DeRose. DeRose is a die hard, bible thumping Republican. Ruben pushed hard to get him appointed to Stanton’s seat. He was willing to work to replace Stanton (Democrat to the core), with his best buddy (bible thumping right winger) just to expand his power base. Be careful of how much trust you put in this guy. He will burn you if it makes him look better. He failed, of course.