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Maria Quinones-Sanchez knows Frankford needs a lot of work, but she also believes the neighborhood has plenty of potential.
Quinones-Sanchez, a Democrat running in the 7th Councilmanic District, outlined a plan to strengthen the neighborhood during a news conference under the Market-Frankford El at Margaret Street. She was joined by state Rep. Tony Payton.
Quinones-Sanchez points to vacant properties as one of the community’s problems. Those properties decrease real estate values and contribute to the perception that the neighborhood is blighted.
If elected, she wants to work with the city and the Redevelopment Authority to turn tax-delinquent properties over to area residents who, with the assistance of community development corporations, can rehabilitate them for use as family dwellings.
"Frankford has too many vacant properties," she said. "The city has to be part of the solution, not part of the problem."
In office, she would work to open up more businesses on Frankford Avenue by offering tax incentives, especially to local entrepreneurs or companies that promise to hire area residents. She’d really like to see a large supermarket come to the community.
"I won’t wait for business to come to Frankford. I will go seek them," said the candidate, who added that she would advocate for a mini-police station and beat cops on the commercial corridor.
As for education, she has started discussions with some Frankford residents to open a charter school in the neighborhood. She established a charter school in Hunting Park.
Her son, Tomasito, is a third-grader at Frankford Friends, a private school.
"I hope we can build ten Frankford Friends," she said.
Quinones-Sanchez faces Marnie Aument-Loughrey and incumbent Dan Savage in next month’s primary.
"Frankford will get better on May 15," she said.
On a related note, the Action Alliance of Senior Citizens will sponsor a forum featuring candidates in the 7th Councilmanic District on Monday, April 30, at 1:30 p.m., at the Northeast Regional Library, at 2228 Cottman Ave.
The public is invited to hear the candidates’ views on senior citizen issues.
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Matt Ruben, a Democratic candidate for Council at-large, is calling for the removal of Tad Decker as chairman of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Ruben, an activist from Northern Liberties and founding member of Casino-Free Philadelphia, is angry that the control board has successfully sued to prevent Philadelphians from voting on a ballot measure that would generally prohibit casinos in the city.
In addition, he believes the board has not been open, competent or efficient.
"From the beginning, Mr. Decker’s gaming board has treated the citizens of Philadelphia with utter contempt," he said.
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Michael Nutter, a former councilman running in the Democratic primary for mayor, unveiled a plan for economic development while standing in front of a boarded-up storefront on Chestnut Street.
As mayor, he would create an Office of Business Services, with a service representative assigned to every business.
"Small business is the base of a strong economy," he said. "This will be my number-one economic development focus as mayor."
Nutter also vowed to double the number of city contracts awarded to minorities and women.
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State Rep. Dwight Evans, who is also in the race for the Democratic mayoral nomination, is promising to increase financial support to the local chapter of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He believes the group can help make Philadelphia safer.
Evans has agreed to join the organization and will encourage city workers to volunteer as mentors.
Leaders of the organization say that more than 1,400 children are in immediate need of mentors.
"Each one of us can play a role in reducing violence," Evans said. "Over fourteen-hundred children and families have stepped up and asked for help. As mayor, I will lead the city in answering their call."
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Another Democratic mayoral contender, U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, was endorsed by firefighters Local 22 during a news conference at the Engine 71 fire station at Cottman and Loretto avenues.
The union represents more than 4,000 active and retired firefighters and paramedics.
Brady was also in the Northeast last weekend for a rally at the Sprinkler Fitter’s Union hall and for the grand opening of Cannon-Ball, a tavern in Frankford.
Meanwhile, the candidate won another legal challenge to his candidacy, when Commonwealth Court ruled that he could stay on the ballot despite failing to list a carpenters union pension on his financial disclosure statement.
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Brady’s fellow congressman and mayoral opponent, Chaka Fattah, last week began running his first television commercials.
The ad outlines his 25 years of public service and highlights his vision for targeting illegal guns and street violence and giving young people access to better schools, quality after-school programs and higher education.
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Bell’s Corner resident Marvin Barrish is hosting a radio show on WNJC (1360 AM) three days a week.
Barrish will be on the air interviewing political candidates through the primary. He can be heard on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7 p.m., Thursdays from 4 to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 2 to 3 p.m.
The call-in numbers are 1-856-227-1360 and 1-856-232-7077.
The show, which originates from the station’s office in Sewell, N.J., can also be heard by visiting wnjc1360.com and clicking on "listen now." ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com