Evans urges the city
to ‘do something’

Campaign Bits
By Tom Waring

Dwight Evans brought his "Do Something" tour to Frankford and Mayfair last week, arguing that he is the best mayoral candidate to address the issue of crime.
During a meeting with business owners at mozaic restaurant and while greeting shoppers and merchants on the 7200 and 7300 blocks of Frankford Ave., Evans, a Democrat, repeated his claim that frontrunner Tom Knox has a paltry record on public safety.
A day earlier, Evans slammed Knox during a news conference outside a Wendy’s restaurant at 15th and Chestnut streets. He used the words, "Where’s the beef?" in regard to Knox’s crime proposals. He also passed out empty hamburger buns.
The phrase was made famous in a 1984 Wendy’s TV commercial poking fun at the skimpy hamburgers served up by its competitors.
The words "Do Something" were coined by District Attorney Lynne Abraham, who believes Mayor John Street hasn’t done enough to address the city’s crime problem.
Evans, a state representative from Northwest Philadelphia, said he’s initiated programs in his legislative district to reduce crime, led the call for police reforms in Philadelphia and fought for gun legislation. If elected, he will ask former Police Commissioner John Timoney to return to his former job.
The keys to building safe communities, according to Evans, are more effective law enforcement, an end to a revolving-door criminal justice system, quality education and economic opportunities, and community and parental involvement.
The candidate told the business crowd at mozaic that he wants to build a customer-driven city government. He’d plant trees and push for mesh, rather than metal, grates on storefronts. He thinks a good image sustains a community.
While former Mayor Ed Rendell improved the Avenue of the Arts and Mayor John Street focused on the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, Evans wants to direct his efforts to strengthening small businesses and commercial corridors. That includes clean sidewalks.
In response to comments by New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin that his city is much cleaner than Philadelphia, Evans agreed, saying, "The truth hurts."
"I want to have a campaign on cleanliness," he said.
On Frankford Avenue, Evans shook hands with shoppers and others walking the strip. One coffee shop owner complained about rowdy Abraham Lincoln High School students, while a woman shopping at Family Dollar was upset about a Section 8 house on her street, but most of the other folks just gave a friendly smile.
The candidate even ventured into unfriendly territory. One of the sandwich shops had a sign backing Bob Brady for mayor, while many other stores showed their support for Knox. Evans even greeted insurance agent Michael Perzel, brother of Republican state Rep. John Perzel.
In reference to Knox’s employment as a deputy mayor under Rendell, Knox called him a member of the "second string."
"Mr. Knox has no record, no beef," he said. "He’s not a real crimefighter. I’m the crimefighter."
In other news from the Evans camp, the candidate was endorsed by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Local 6 during a news conference at the Shop Rite on Island Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia.
Evans used the occasion to take another swipe at Knox.
"We have drawn a great deal of attention to Tom’s lack of a record when it comes to reducing crime by asking, ‘Where’s the beef?’ " he said. "I know that the bakery workers are pleased to see us passing out buns to highlight this fact."

• • •

Another Democratic mayoral candidate, U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, is calling for an increase in the number of minority and women-owned businesses getting city contracts.
Fattah made his remarks in front of the Minority Business Enterprise Council. He cited a study over a recent five-year period that showed firms owned by minorities won just 2.6 percent and those run by women won only 1.8 percent of the city contracts.
"Were I to become mayor, my administration would be fully committed to improving participation by making it an integral part of the procurement process and by actively working to eliminate barriers to meaningful minority and female participation in city contracting," he said.
In other news from the Fattah campaign, the candidate was endorsed by Gas Workers Local 686, the Pentecostal Clergy Political Action Committee and United Steelworkers Local 404. He was joined at the Steelworkers event by actor Richard Roundtree, star of the movie Shaft.

• • •

Fattah’s congressional colleague, Brady, wants to create a 311 system for non-emergency calls and include medically trained firefighters in each unit.
Brady announced his plan while standing with Brian McBride, president of firefighters Local 22, outside a fire station at 21st and Market streets.
The candidate said that a 311 hotline would improve the efficiency of the 911 system. He added that, with the epidemic of violence, it is imperative that the 911 system operate at peak efficiency.
In addition, he believes that it is important to have at least one first responder to a fire be capable of providing basic medical care.
On Monday afternoon, Brady campaigned at the Dining Car and took a tour of CORA Services. He was joined by City Councilwoman Joan Krajewski, former City Controller Jonathan Saidel and others.
Meanwhile, Brady finally was guaranteed a place on the ballot when the state Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of a Commonwealth Court ruling. The lower court allowed him to stay in the race despite having failed to list a city pension and payments by the carpenters union to another pension on a financial disclosure form.
Brady amended the original form, but supporters of Knox argued that his name should have been removed from the ballot.

• • •

The Northeast Times, Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia magazine have endorsed Michael Nutter in the Democratic mayoral primary.
The magazine wrote, "These times call for change and urgency and vision. In his reasonable and understated way, that is what Michael Nutter represents. We interviewed all five candidates, and overwhelmingly chose Nutter in a staff vote, for his vision and specificity."

• • •

Nutter, Evans, Fattah, Brady and Knox will take part in a forum on Sunday at 8 p.m. at the WHYY Technology Center.
The event will be broadcast on WHYY TV 12 and 91 FM, and online at www.thenextmayor.com and www.whyy.org
The discussion will be moderated by Marty Moss-Coane, who hosts Radio Times on WHYY 91 FM.
Afterward, WHYY’s Tracy Matisak and Nancy Karibjanian will host a live town hall meeting.

• • •

Democracy for America, a national organization that supports socially progressive candidates, has endorsed Maria Quinones-Sanchez in the Democratic primary in the 7th Councilmanic District.
The organization likes the candidate’s activism on issues such as economic development, women’s and workers’ rights, family wages, voter registration and health care availability.
Quinones-Sanchez faces Marnie Aument-Loughrey and incumbent Dan Savage.
DFA has also endorsed three at-large Democrats: incumbent Blondell Reynolds Brown and challengers Derek Green and Matt Ruben.

• • •

There will be two upcoming debates in the Northeast featuring candidates for City Council at-large seats.
On Thursday, May 3, at 6:30 p.m., the five Republican candidates will appear at the JCC Klein Branch, at Red Lion Road and Jamison Avenue. Councilmen Frank Rizzo and Jack Kelly will be joined by challengers David Oh, Phil Kerwick and Patricia Mattern.
On Saturday at 9:30 a.m., eight Democrats will appear at Holy Family University, at 9801 Frankford Ave. They are Councilmen Juan Ramos and Bill Greenlee and challengers Derek Green, Harry Massele, Ben Ramos, Matt Ruben, Marc Stier and Sharif Street.
The debates are sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Inquirer.
At each forum, guests will take part in a straw poll on the mayoral race.
To reserve a seat, call 215-854-5956 or visit http://go.philly.com/greatexpectations

• • •

Bill Green, a Democratic candidate for Council at-large, vowed to refuse the city-funded car each member receives.
The funding covers maintenance and gasoline.
"If we’re going to change the way our city does business and restore faith in our government, we need to start with changing the way we conduct ourselves," said Green, son of the former mayor of the same name.
"There is little reason why our taxpayers should pay forty-thousand dollars so that I can drive to the office. Just think about what our city could fund if all members of Council took public transportation instead of allowing the public to pay to transport us."
Green would spend the savings hiring police officers and teachers, keeping recreation centers open and planting trees.
The rest of Green’s reform agenda includes requiring Council members to release outside income, requiring lobbyists to register with the city, publishing a list of all individuals or businesses that receive city contracts, basing the city contracting process on merit and posting government meetings and records online.

• • •

More than 50 Latino political, religious, civic and business leaders endorsed City Councilman Juan Ramos (D-at large).
"I have known Juan for almost forty years, and he has always been an advocate for not only the Latino people but the disenfranchised and poor," said Patricia DeCarlo, executive director of the Norris Square Civic Association.
Ramos, seeking his second term, is in danger of losing his seat because of a low ballot position and the presence on the ballot of former state Rep. Ben Ramos, who is not related.
"Juan is a vocal advocate for all Philadelphians," said Ken Trujillo, president of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "His first term in City Council has been marked by legislation that has helped workers, homebuyers and the everyday citizen." ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com