Longstreth's chief of staff, fiancee dismissed
Amidst allegations that she abused her boss and fiancee, Melanie Hopkins was dismissed from her $80,000-per-year job as Councilman Thacher Long-streth's chief of staff last week.
Long-streth, 82, who suffers from Parkinson's Disease and dementia, is currently in a temporary care facility in Florida and has not attended a City Council session since last fall.
"Since the councilman is obviously not in a state to manage his affairs, Brian O'Neill took responsibility for the councilperson's staff," said Bob Previdi, director of communications for City Council President Anna Verna. "Between the council president and Brian O'Neill, it was decided that there was no need for a chief of staff at this point."
In a joint letter, "they notified Ms. Hopkins that as of April 1 at 5 p.m., there will no longer be any need for her services," Previdi said.
Staffers at Longstreth's office have remained silent throughout the ordeal, explaining that they are "not allowed to speak to the media."
The saga was first reported in March when Hopkins was faced with allegations of abusing Longstreth in a Florida hospital where he was being treated for pneumonia. Longstreth was declared a ward of the state, removed from her care and later released into the custody of a temporary guardian. The cases regarding the abuse allegations and Longstreth's guardianship are still in court.
-- Andrea Miller
Pa. representative, Vet Hospital namesake dies
Pennsylvania House of Representatives Speaker Matthew Ryan died Saturday at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania following a battle with stomach cancer.
A longtime Pennsylvania politician, he is the namesake of Penn's Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital. The hospital was renamed in February in recognition of Ryan's efforts on behalf of the University. The School of Veterinary Medicine plans to hold a remembrance ceremony for Ryan in the fall.
"As the longest serving speaker in the history of the House, Mr. Ryan was an effective advocate for so many of the issues that helped to shape life in our region," Mayor John Street wrote in a statement. "The major economic development projects that are pillars of our local economy -- the Convention Center, the First Union Center and the Sports Complex, the Kimmel Center, the Kvaerner Shipyard -- would not have been possible without the support, energy and political skills of Matthew Ryan."
-- Rachel Velcoff
