Katz, a candidate for the GOP gubernatorial nomination last spring, battled fiercely with Ridge.
The two ran negative advertisements, with Ridge questioning a Katz business relationship with notorious Center City landlord Sam Rappaport, and Katz pointing out that Ridge was getting campaign advice from former state GOP chief Robert Asher, who was convicted in a computer bribery scandal in 1986.
Others from Philadelphia and its suburbs named to head various task forces were former State Rep. Ellen A. Harley, of Villanova, and David Simon, senior vice president of U.S. Healthcare, Blue Bell, who will co-chair aging and health; Rear Adm. James W. Eastwood, Philadelphia, who will head the Department of Military Affairs review; and Michael J. Joyce, managing partner of the Philadelphia accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP, who will examine the Department of General Services.
Also from the area are Paul Zelenkofske, a Philadelphia accountant, who will co-chair the Public Welfare Task Force; James E. Nevels, Swarthmore, chairman of an investment advisory firm, will examine the Department of Revenue; and Charles G. Kopp, co-chairman of the Philadelphia law firm of Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-Cohen, will head the Transportation Task Force.
According to 1994 campaign finance reports through mid-October, Zelenkofske gave Ridge nearly $55,000, Kopp gave $26,500 through his law firm's political action committee, Simon gave more than $20,000 personally and through his company's PAC, and Nevels gave nearly $20,000.
Others named and their task forces are: Thomas G. Paese, Harrisburg, administrative and budget; Lamartine F. Hood, dean of the College of Agricultural Science at Pennsylvania State University, agriculture; David E. Zuern, Fairview, and M. Hannah Leavitt, Harrisburg, banking and insurance; Andrew J. Sordoni 3d, Harvey's Lake, commerce; William C. Bostic, Lancaster, community affairs; Tom Corbett, former U.S. attorney for Western Pennsylvania, corrections and state police; John C. Oliver 3d, Sewickley, environmental resources; former State Rep. Samuel E. Hayes of Blair County, education; John E. Jones, Pottsville, and William A. Hawkins, Harrisburg, labor and industry; L. Jack Bradt, Easton, public welfare; and Yvette Kane, Mechanicsburg, revenue.
