Heard in the Hall

So what if Democratic Ward Leader Carlos Matos fessed up in court to giving $12,000 in bribes to two councilmen from Atlantic City? In Philadelphia, he remains something of a hero -- evident by the pack of letters that poured in this sumer to a federal judge who will determine for how long Matos will go to prison.

It was the only time since Street's 1999 election as mayor that he has written such a letter, says Street spokesman Joe Grace.

Several other of our elected officials also made their thoughts on Matos known to the judge, and also on official city letterhead. They included Councilmembers Darrell Clarke, Jannie Blackwell, William Greenlee and Frank DiCicco. Even the ususally not seen and not heard Clerk of Quarter Sessions Vivian Miller piped up, as did Sheriff John Green. It was hardly a surprise to hear from Margaret M. Tartaglione, chairwoman of the City Commissioners Office; she is Matos's mother-in-law. But it's tough to recall the last time City Commissioner Joseph Duda was noted for putting pen to paper. Heck, even City Council Sergeant-At-Arms David Rosario weighed in.

And so did Philip Fierstein.

Who's that? "I am the Piermaster of the Ventnor City fishing pier, where I met Carlos," the 79-year-old Fierstein told the judge. "He is a kind and decent man, always willing to help poor children with fishing tackle, bait and even food. I found that this is his normal generous nature."
In the end, of course, the judge will be the judge of Matos's normal nature.