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In other news from the mayoral race, Evans is promoting an education plan that calls for reduced class size, efforts to lower the dropout rate and modernized classrooms with cutting-edge technology.
Evans last week released A Smarter Philadelphia School by School in front of the new Constitution High School for American Studies in Center City.
In 2001, Evans was part of an effort that created the School Reform Commission and led to the hiring of Paul Vallas as CEO of the School District of Philadelphia. As mayor, Evans would focus on increasing standardized test scores, reducing violence and providing more education options.
Among his proposals is to station additional Philadelphia police officers in every high school at which the principal requests one and to equip all classrooms with laptop computers, printers and projectors by 2012.
"Education is the key to reducing crime, lifting people out of poverty, growing a middle class and increasing civic engagement," he said.
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Another Democratic mayoral contender, U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, has endorsed the report released last week by the city’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Mental and Behavioral Health.
Specifically, Fattah backs the recommendations to expand the number of skilled professionals serving children and families, make mental and behavioral health screenings more available for children most at-risk and increase prevention programs in schools.
"The commission recommends we make mental and behavioral services more accessible to children and their families by providing services in children’s neighborhoods, schools and health centers. I could not agree more," he said. "The city must take responsibility for our citizens and provide real opportunity for our young people."
Meanwhile, Fattah unveiled a housing plan that calls for a tax credit of up to $4,000 for first-time homeowners. His plan would also create a $10 million Homeowners Emergency Assistance Program to provide mortgage assistance to people facing foreclosure.
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Elsewhere, Knox spent last week visiting drug treatment centers and attending the graduation ceremony for Treatment Court, a judicial program for first-time drug offenders.
As mayor, Knox would expand drug treatment services and help recovering addicts get good-paying jobs. He lost a brother, Michael, to drugs.
"We have an obligation to get everyone who needs help the help that they need," he said.
Knox proposes a Treatment Innovation Fund, which would support recovery programs. He’d create a Mayor’s Office of Substance Abuse, which would design a citywide strategy for curbing addictions. And he would assign more police officers to drug-dealing hot spots.
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The Frankford Business and Professional Association will hold a mayoral candidate forum on Tuesday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church, 5185 Castor Ave. (at Pratt Street).
Each candidate will be given 10 minutes to speak on crime and safety, taxes, economic development and zoning. A question-and-answer session will follow.
Knox has confirmed that he will attend. Evans, Fattah, Brady and Nutter have tentatively accepted invitations.
The public is invited to attend.
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Mayfair’s Mike Lowry, a Democratic candidate for Traffic Court, held a fund-raiser on Friday night at Rauchut’s Tavern.
Lowry is an aide to state Rep. Mike McGeehan and has been a 55th Ward committeeman since 1990. He once worked for three years for then-Municipal Court Judge Seamus McCaffery, who is now a state Superior Court judge. Lowry’s dad Vince, who died in December, was a ward leader for 12 years. If elected, Lowry said he would bring a common-sense approach to Traffic Court, which hears cases involving automobile moving violations. He believes a Traffic Court judge’s rulings can have a major impact on a person’s life.
Lowry expects at least 10 candidates to file to fill the seats of Fran Kelly, who resigned to take a job in the private sector, and Fred Perri Sr., who became a senior judge after turning 70. There’s a possibility of a third vacancy. In a crowded field, ballot position is crucial.
So far, Lowry has support from local ward leaders McGeehan, Bob Dellavella and Bill Dolbow.
Among other possible candidates is Fox Chase’s Fred Mari, who has worked as a judicial aide in Traffic Court for six years. About 200 people attended a "Draft Mari" Super Bowl party on Sunday at Cannstatter’s.
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The Republican Party continues to try to put together its ticket.
Mayfair Civic Association president Scott Cummings has been endorsed to run in the 6th Councilmanic District for the seat held by Democrat Joan Krajewski. Yet, there is talk that Cummings could seek a seat on Traffic Court.
The name mentioned most often for mayor is Al Taubenberger, president of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and the Burholme Community Town Watch and Civic Association. But party leaders are keeping their options open, hoping to find a candidate with more name recognition and the ability to raise money.
In the Council at-large race, incumbents Frank Rizzo and Jack Kelly are running for re-election. David Oh, an attorney who ran in 2003, is running again and will probably be endorsed.
Other candidates considering a bid include former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dougherty; Burholme resident Phil Kerwick, GOP leader of the 35th Ward and owner of a candy factory; attorney Sean Reilly, a Lawndale native; and Pat Madden, a lawyer from Center City.
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Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge John Milton Younge announced on Saturday that he’s running for a seat on Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
There are two openings, and Younge will be among at least four Democrats seeking the nomination. Among the other candidates is McCaffery, who lives in Bustleton.
Younge, who was elected to Common Pleas Court in 1995, is running for the state’s top court to restore voter confidence in the judicial system. Voter anger over the 2005 pay raise for state legislators and judges cost former Supreme Court Justice Russell Nigro his seat in a retention vote. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com