Heard in the Hall

I've known Guy D. Lewis since he was a youngster in the Frankford area of Philadelphia. He has always been a hardworking person and after he started to mature and went into nursing, he has been like a bee (very busy) trying to raise the level of awareness in health and community activities in the Frankford neighborhood and surrounding areas. I know, without a doubt, that he will be the best candidate to represent this area in the political arena. Thanks for endorsing him and I can only look forward to bigger and better reports from this deserving young man. He's a definite asset and a keeper.

This is total crap. It's the same old feudal system, neanderthal politics that these ward leaders hold onto so dearly because it's their only means of legitimacy in a political system they no longer can understand. Rep Payton has done a FANTASTIC job and has become one of the most promising young leaders in the state... yet the party wants to punish him because he didn't wait 30 years in line and didn't bow down at the ward leader alter, as if being a ward leader has any relevancy anymore.

It should also say something about these ward leaders that despite their "claim" to represent the party's interests, the Governor himself has blatantly ignored their endorsement and will be supporting Rep. Payton.

I know exactly what it’s like to live within a community for years and you elongated hopes to have the legislative branches to finally address the “real” concerns that which underprivileged families has endured. It’s a known fact most residents from communities desire positive changes, and when it appears that the incumbent Rep has not met the long a waited goals for that community than it is not only time for a change but it’s also time for a “fresh breath of air”. I am a strong believer that if a person comes from the same spun of thread which uniquely holds the count together than he is most likely to take every effort and opportunity towards keeping the ties together. We need a State Rep who knows clearly about making sacrifices which idyllically most urban communities sustain time and time again. Our community likens to the newcomer Guy D. Lewis because he shares interest towards rekindling the nostalgic quote “The American Dream” which means happiness and prosperity for all. There are some who would say the world is changing but then there are some who believes we must change with the times. Guy D. Lewis is a democratic leader who I strongly believe can and will do both, which is he will keep abreast on imperative issues while at the same time shaping our communities into better dwellings in order to receive quality of life.

Kate M., don’t be so naive. Ed Rendell has his own political agenda. Rendell has been “misinformed” in the past when he backed others. Rendell has made mistakes. He can be wrong. He’s not God. Take for example - when he stated that Norman Hsu was “one of the best people I’ve met”. Rendell was one of the nation’s most ardent supporters of Hsu and originally stated that he would keep Hsu’s donation. Well, we all know how that turned out…

Matt, you are right, however I didn't mean to come off sounding like Rendell's endorsement is golden and holy. Yes, he's made some big mistakes and the Norman Hsu thing is a big deal... for Hillary too.

However, he remains the most respected Democrat in Pennsylvania and certainly in Philadelphia. His credibility and experience do carry weight, and I think his snub of the party "leaders" and subsequent endorsement of Rep. Payton is important.

I'm sure Tony Payton was doing a good job, but Guy D Lewis think he can do a better job when he gets elected to be our State Rep. for the 179th. Guy's agenda is not POLITICAL, it's a
people agenda, which can only help build a better and stronger communities.

Rendell's endorsement carries no weight at all as far as I'm concerned. Sure, he was a decent mayor and not a terrible governor, but he basically endorsed Street to succeed him in return for political favors, as well as making a good number of politically motivated appointments (like at the PLCB) so, like I said, his endorsement carries no weight.

Having said that, Payton strikes me as a competent legislator and I highly doubt that whoever the ward leaders endorse would be any better.

I'm really not impressed with either candidate. Neither one really has a concept of what the community needs or how to address it. So no matter who is chosen, the community is still going to remain in the same condition. What low income, minority communities need is more focus on building community wealth, more career centers, and business development centers to help the younger generations, their parents, and communities develop a serious concept of achievement. There seems be a lack of motivation towards developing ambition, and intellect in these low income areas as if someone wants ensure that there will be under educated, unskilled laborers to operate all the fast food and retail franchises and keep the prisons filled.