Question on war in Iraq added to next Phila. ballot

Philadelphia voters will soon get a chance to sound off on the Iraq war, after City Council yesterday approved a ballot question that calls for urging the United States to "redeploy U.S. troops out of harm's way in Iraq."

The nonbinding question - passed, 14-3, with all three Republicans dissenting - will appear on the May 15 primary ballot.

"It is nothing against all the men and women who have served so well. It is only to say it's time - it's time to come home now," said Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell, who sponsored the bill.

The results of the vote will be sent to President Bush and other officials "to let them know how Philadelphians feel about the issue," she said.

Council members also dealt with a few matters closer to home yesterday.

Councilman James F. Kenney proposed creating a Council committee on the environment, calling it "past time that we have this kind of committee."

The committee would look for efficiencies in city departments, and serve as a clearinghouse for a host of environmental issues that Council has been grappling with, such as recycling and rubber sidewalks.

"Every department in this city has some impact on the city's overall environment. I would like to start paying more attention to that impact, cut energy costs, cut energy waste, be more efficient," Kenney said.

He also introduced a resolution asking local broadcast and cable networks to offer free or reduced-rate time to mayoral candidates.

Kenney said he was troubled by the spending of millionaire Tom Knox, who has said he will spend "whatever it takes" of his money to win the race. Already he has spent more than $2 million on television advertising.

The other candidates - who are not self-financed - are working under the city's new campaign-finance caps, and have been unable to match Knox's spending.

Early this month, Kenney introduced legislation that would have effectively removed the caps for most mayoral donors. (Caps would have remained for donors who bid on city contracts.) But activists and others intensely criticized that plan, and Kenney tabled it last week.

Yesterday's resolution, he said, was another effort to level the playing field.