Cops for DiBileo; gov backs Doherty

The race for the Democratic nomination for mayor of Scranton took center stage again Monday with two key announcements.

The Pennsylvania State Fraternal Order of Police on Monday endorsed Gary DiBileo as the next mayor of Scranton; meanwhile, news came to incumbent Mayor Chris Doherty’s campaign that he was being endorsed by Gov. Ed Rendell in his bid for re-election.

Rendell will announce his endorsement today at the Backyard Ale House, 523 Linden St., Scranton. A reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m.

“I’m honored and grateful for the endorsement,” DiBileo, former city council president, said on Monday. “Endorsements like this mean a lot to me and keeps me motivated to keep pushing forward.

“Public safety is the bedrock of any community. The fine men and women of the Scranton FOP do more than an admirable job of keeping the citizens safe and secure. As mayor of Scranton, I will give these hard-working and dedicated police professionals the respect and appreciation they so rightly deserve,” he continued.

“Scranton continues to face a public safety crisis as the current administration balances its budgets on the backs of police officers, firefighters and their families,” said Roosevelt Poplar, state FOP vice president. “While Scranton department heads have given themselves pay raises, police officers and firefighters haven’t been given so much as a cost of living increase in the past seven years. That is outrageous and is no way to treat those who risk their lives daily to protect their fellow citizens.

“DiBileo is committed to safe families, secure neighborhoods, and a sound city. He also is committed to working with Scranton’s public safety community to restore morale and give police officers and firefighters the living wage they deserve,” Poplar continued.

The state FOP consists of more than 41,000 active and retired police officers, including members of the E.B. Jermyn Lodge 2 in Scranton.

In March, the city’s Democratic committee voted to endorse DiBileo, in what many considered a surprising move.

“No. Not at all. I have to make tough decisions,” Doherty said, citing ongoing legal battles with the city police and firefighters unions.

“I respect the work of the men and women of the police department. They do a great job for the city, but as mayor, I have to watch out for 78,000 people and it’s my job to make tough decisions and to increase property values in the city,” he said.

Doherty pointed to $500 million in construction projects, including the new Commonwealth Medical College, the first of its kind in 50 years in the state, and also national magazine polls touting Scranton’s kid-friendly virtues and real estate market.

“This is my third time running for mayor … and once for city council before then … and I’ve never had the police’s endorsement and I’ve been successful,” Doherty said. “I’m receiving the governor’s endorsement (today),” he added, which gives him added confidence.

Doherty has also received backing by the city’s trade and clerical unions, he said. And last week, the Lackawanna County commissioners gave him their nod.

“Those are the people who watch what I’m doing. That’s a testament to how they think I’m doing,” he said.

DiBileo narrowly lost to Doherty in the Democratic primary for Scranton mayor in 2005. He then lost that November as a write-in candidate for the Republican Party.

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Pa. police group endorses challenger. Rendell will be at event today for incumbent.

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