old blood and new is a great slate
On Tuesday, Democrats will nominate five candidates for at-large City Council seats.
In a field of 19, more than half merit consideration. That group of qualified candidates does not include the sole Northeast hopeful, former state Sen. Milton Street.
The nominees will square off against the five Republicans in November for seven seats.
The Times has decided to endorse two incumbents and three challengers.
Councilman Jim Kenney, of South Philadelphia, deserves a fifth four-year term. He is an ally of indicted state Sen. Vince Fumo but has demonstrated on Council that he favors a transparent city government and ethical standards and codes of conduct.
In Council, he’s sided with taxpayers on numerous issues. He backs aggressive wage tax cuts, arguing that residents will spend more on goods and services with the additional disposable income. He’s also hesitant to change the way the Board of Revision of Taxes computes property taxes, fearing that it could lead to increases for many homeowners. And he sponsored a bill prohibiting parking garages from raising their rates for special events.
His top priorities include creating a 311 call center for city services and government questions, establishing a Rainy Day Fund for budget emergencies and changing the makeup of the City Planning Commission to include professionals and community members.
Councilman Bill Greenlee, a lifelong Fairmount resident, was elected last November to fill out the term of the late Councilman David Cohen. He warrants a full four years.
Greenlee served as Cohen’s chief aide for 26 years. The office was known for providing strong constituent service, particularly to senior citizens.
While the School Reform Commission will choose the successor to School District of Philadelphia CEO Paul Vallas, Greenlee wisely believes other stakeholders — including Council — should have a say in such an important hire.
He understands the positive impact that community development corporations, including the one in Mayfair, can have on neighborhoods. He promises to fund CDCs to aid in neighborhood revitalization, pointing out that residents know their communities better than anyone.
Derek Green, of East Mount Airy, would bring impressive credentials to Council, especially for a guy who is only 36.
He has been an assistant district attorney, deputy city solicitor, Council aide, civic association president and small- business owner.
Among his ideas is to give tax credits to businesses that provide internships for teenagers, at-risk youth and young adults.
As the father of a 6-year-old boy with autism, he would be a strong voice for early intervention for a disorder that is becoming more commonplace.
He would be a reformer in Council, judged by his outspoken opposition to a bill that would repeal the city’s campaign finance legislation.
If elected, he’d be able to make a smooth transition because of his work for Councilwoman Marian Tasco and because he knows all of the other members.
Andy Toy, of Logan Square, also would bring a solid background to Council.
He’s worked in economic and new business development with the City Planning Commission, the city Department of Commerce and Amtrak.
As chairman of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, he successfully opposed the nutty idea of building a baseball stadium in the neighborhood.
At the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, he created a neighborhood commercial corridor redevelopment plan that provided funding for nine areas, including a portion of Frankford Avenue. In Council, he would give start-up businesses a better chance to succeed by voting to eliminate the gross-receipts portion of the Business Privilege Tax.
Marc Stier, of West Mount Airy, would be a voice for neighborhoods in Council.
As founder of Neighborhood Networks, he has led campaigns for ethics reform and increased recycling. His group helped force a reluctant Mayor John Street to name members to the newly created Ethics Board.
As a civic leader, he helped bring a playground, supermarket and pharmacy to his community.
He also has a novel idea on how to fill Council vacancies, calling for an amendment to the Home Rule Charter to require primaries or non-partisan general elections.
We do hope he drops his call for higher taxes on long-term parking and liquor by the drink.
The Times also strongly considered the candidacies of incumbent Juan Ramos and challengers Matt Ruben and Bill Green. ••
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