Another day, another “Meet the Candidates” session.
You might as well get used to it folks. Between now and the primary, every activist group, association and church in town will want to host the Democratic mayoral candidates.
Today’s event at the First Unitarian Church on 21st and Chestnut streets was sponsored by Americans for Democratic Action and Philly for Change. Originally billed as a forum with all the declared candidates, it turned into an informal question session with millionaire Tom Knox and former City Councilman Michael Nutter after the two other candidates – State Rep. Dwight Evans and U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah – pulled out.
(Evans had to attend a funeral. Fattah reportedly said that he wasn’t attending forums until all the candidates had declared.)
But Knox and Nutter gamely sat through more than an hour of questioning about schools, taxes and recycling from the Center City crowd of about 200. (Shockingly, they both think we need better schools, lower taxes and more recycling.) Daily News columnist Elmer Smith served as a moderator.
What may otherwise have been a quiet morning was enlivened by Queena Bass, a local woman who has attempted to run for mayor before and says she plans to run again this time. Bass got up in front of the audience and loudly demanded a seat on stage with the other candidates.
“Ladies and gentleman, I am tired of being ignored in the city of Philadelphia,” said Bass, who was accompanied by her father and brother. “I have suffered in this city.”
Smith did not allow Bass – who has received little coverage from the mainstream media because she has no visible organization, base or funding – up on stage, but she was afforded time for opening and closing remarks.
A few points from Nutter and Knox.
Knox – a deputy mayor under Ed Rendell – stressed his business background throughout the session.
He said there are $400 million wasted dollars in the city budget at the moment. He did not elaborate on how he came to this figure. He also said that hiring good people was the key to an ethical government. And that businesses don’t come to Philadelphia because Philly lacks a trained workforce.
Nutter focused on his various accomplishments as a City Councilman – the ethics laws he passed and his efforts to lower taxes. He said as mayor he would more closely monitor schools and push a tough public safety program.
His dry delivery drew several laughs from the crowd. One funny moment came when he was asked if a Milton Street Milton Street airport deal would happen in his administration, Nutter said:
“Let me assure you that my brother will never be indicted or get a contract.”
He paused. “Actually, I don’t have a brother.”