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Chaka Fattah, another Democratic candidate for mayor, last week released his agenda for women, promising to increase the number of city contracts won by women-owned businesses.
Statistics show that the number of city contracts won by women-owned businesses fell from 7.6 percent in 2005 to 6.2 percent in 2006.
Fattah, a congressman, calls that "unacceptable." If elected, he would set a goal of increasing that figure to 15 percent by the end of his first four-year term.
In addition, Fattah — noting that Philadelphia has 25 percent fewer maternity beds than it did in 1990 — wants to ensure that the city has adequate obstetric services and facilities. He wants hospitals to give at least three months notice before closing obstetric wards.
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Fattah, Nutter and fellow Democratic mayoral contenders Dwight Evans, Bob Brady and Tom Knox will appear on KYW Newsradio (1060 AM) on Monday, April 30, from 8 to 9 a.m.
The debate will be moderated by Larry Kane, with questions asked by Mike Dunn and Steve Tawa.
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The DVD of the film The Shame of a City is available for $21.99.
The documentary takes a look at the 2003 mayoral race between Mayor John Street and Republican Sam Katz. The contest was close until it was learned that the FBI had placed a listening device in Street’s office.
Street supporters successfully convinced many voters that the bug was a plot by Republicans to take down a Democratic mayor, and the incumbent went on to win by a landslide.
The film notes the number of corruption convictions that stemmed from the federal probe, which included the listening device.
The movie is available for purchase at TLA Video, Borders, Barnes & Noble, amazon.com and shameofacity.com
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A close Fattah ally, Raymond Jones, is seeking election in the 9th Councilmanic District. Jones is in a four-way Democratic primary with Lamont Thomas, Cecil Hankins and incumbent Marian Tasco. The district includes Lawndale, Crescentville, Oxford Circle and Summerdale.
A co-founder of Men United for a Better Philadelphia, Jones wants to work with the private sector to create jobs with good pay and benefits. He believes greater employment will lead to a decrease in violent crime.
"If you give a man a job, you give him some hope," he said during a recent open house at his campaign headquarters on Wadsworth Avenue.
To further address the crime problem, he wants to increase funding for the probation and parole department and provide more social services for people leaving prison.
Jones, a 43-year-old married father of two from East Oak Lane, gave up his city job as community coordinator with the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative to make the race. He’s telling voters to remember "Ray in May."
The candidate said that 80 percent of his nominating petitions came from the 50th Ward, where Tasco serves as Democratic leader. He senses the same anti-incumbent mood that toppled incumbents at the federal and state levels last year. He also expects to do well east of Broad Street, where he contends Tasco is not well known.
"Folks are saying it’s time for a change," he said.
Jones is trying to engage Tasco, a 20-year incumbent, in a formal debate.
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Maria Quinones Sanchez, a Democratic candidate in the 7th Councilmanic District, has released her plan to strengthen families and neighborhoods.
The candidate wants to strengthen and build civic associations, Town Watch groups and faith communities. She’d like to see them offer movie nights in parks and adopt parks and recreation centers for cleanups and community events.
"They need more funding, more recognition and introductions. Many don’t know each other and should, because civilian-powered ideas are the most powerful catalysts for change," she said.
If elected, she would increase prevention activities at curfew centers and add sports and music programs at recreation centers.
When public schools are not in session, she would like the buildings to host learning, cultural, arts and recreational activities.
To make communities safer, she wants to increase police sub-stations, beat cops in neighborhoods and patrol cars on commercial corridors.
Quinones Sanchez is in a three-way race with Marnie Aument-Loughrey and incumbent Dan Savage.
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Monday is the deadline to register to vote in the May 15 primary. That’s also the last day for voters to change their party affiliation.
Registration forms are available at post office locations, free library branches and state liquor stores.
For more information, call the voter registration office at 215-686-1500 or visit phillyelection.com ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com