The Editorial Boad of the Inquirer has begun interviewing candidates for Philadelphia City Council for possible endorsement (as well candidates for various suburban offices, Pennsylvania appellate courts and, oh yeah, mayor).
This year we're inviting the candidates for a given Council district seat to come into together, so we can interview them jointly and hear what they have to say to and about each other.
The questions we're asking are based strongly on the comments, hopes and fears we heard from citizens during our Great Expectations forums in January and February.
We're asking candidates what they would do to address or allay the fears of residents of changing Philadelphia neighborhoods about rising property values. Some fear this trend will bring them rising taxes and rising pressure to move out of their long-time homes.
We're asking candidates whether they'd protect taxpayers from big hikes in property taxes due to a revaluation, and what they'd do about the 10-year property tax abatement (keep, scrap or revise?).
We're asking how they would balance the need to cut the city's high wage and business tax burden, and the need to preserve city services.
We're asking them what ideas they have --besides more cops -- for getting some handle on violent crime, and what ideas they have for addressing the "stop snitching" notion that impairs police work in many neighborhoods.
We're asking them whether they'd support an overhaul of city zoning law that would make the city's zoning process clearer, more consistent and more modern - but might detract from one of the main sources of a district councilperson's "juice" - their nearly feudal power over what does or does not get built within their districts.
We're asking them what ideas they have to increase the city's job base.
We're asking what they'd do to clean up the pay to play culture of City Hall, and to light a fire under city bureaucracies.
Anything else you'd like us to ask?
We've met with candidates from the Second, Fifth, Eighth and Ninth districts so far.
Here's the good news: The civic ferment in Philly over the last few years has produced a far better crop of Council challengers than I've seen in the three previous city elections since I joined the board in 1994. People such as Ray Jones Jr., John Longacre, Damon Roberts, Cindy Bass and Irv Ackelsberg are serious people with real ideas and real records of civic service buttressing their candidacies
It's been refreshing so far. These elections matter. You will have real choices in front of you in the voting booth. Try to get out to a candidates forum between now and primary day. This project will be sponsoring one in each Council district in the first week of May. Hope to see you there.--
Chris Satullo
Comments (1)
Please ask the council candidates how they will use their influence to create effective school libraries in Philadelphia, which attract and retain educated, tax-paying parents.
Thank you.
Carool Heinsdorf
Association of Philadelphia School Librarians
Posted by Carol Heinsdorf | April 4, 2007 3:08 PM
Posted on April 4, 2007 15:08