Not much of a battle
in the 6th...

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

The race in the 6th Councilmanic District hasn’t drawn much interest.
In fact, neither City Councilwoman Joan Krajewski nor challenger Michael Ebsworth said they’ve been approached by any group in the district to attend a forum.
The candidates have never met.
"I wouldn’t know him if he sat next to me," said Krajewski, a Democrat.
Krajewski, 73, of Mayfair, had planned to step down at the end of the year but changed her mind and is seeking an eighth four-year term.
Elected in 1979, she has had little difficulty winning every four years. In 2003, Republican Vandy Parks put up a spirited challenge. Little known and with no money, he worked hard with campaign manager Gary Grisafi knocking on doors and earned more than one-third of the vote.
The councilwoman plans to serve another four years with the veteran employees of her City Hall office.
"I have a great staff," she said. "You’re only as good as your staff, and I have the best."
Ebsworth, 45, of Lower Mayfair, is a roofer for EDA Contractors. He switched from the Democratic to the Republican Party to take on the longtime incumbent. He is a member of Roofers Local 30, which is backing Krajewski.
The challenger has no specific problem with the incumbent and believes she has been a good councilwoman, but he thinks she has been in office too long.
"I feel like it’s time for a change," he said. "It’s time for something new, for fresh ideas."
Ebsworth was not the GOP’s first candidate.
Ward leaders originally endorsed Mayfair Civic Association president Scott Cummings before he opted for a run for Traffic Court. Vicki Cummings, his wife, was the party’s first choice in 2003 before she dropped out to make room for Parks.
The reason? Krajewski has good relations with Republicans, who have no interest in putting financial and other resources behind an opponent.
Ebsworth, who is married with two daughters, has not raised any money. His campaign has consisted of talking with neighbors, co-workers, fellow bowlers and folks associated with the Our Lady of Ransom girls soccer and basketball teams that he coaches.
The Republican knows he’s a long shot and expects to get "wiped out" on Election Day.
"Everybody knows this is a Democrat city," he said.
If Ebsworth stuns the political establishment and beats Krajewski, he will focus on the issues that he says are causing people to flee the city: crime, trash, Section 8 housing and nuisance rental properties.
Even if he loses, Ebsworth is glad the city will be getting a new mayor.
"Anybody’s going to be better than (John) Street," he said.
Krajewski, Democratic leader of the 65th Ward, expects to win another term. She’ll monitor election returns after the polls close at the Ashburner Inn.
The councilwoman is looking forward to development of the North Delaware Avenue waterfront. Progress is slow, but she is hopeful.
"It’s absolutely going to be a transformation," she said. "It will bring people back to the riverfront."
Krajewski has defended businesses in her district against legislation she believes is unfair to them. She opposed an outright ban on smoking in public places because city bars would be at a disadvantage when competing against suburban taverns.
Also, after seeing 16,000 names on a petition, she sponsored an exemption to the ban on trans-fats for bakeries that use shortening and partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Last week, Council passed the measure by a vote of 16-1.
The lawmaker said the exemption would benefit bakeries and customers.
"It’s up to the individual. People go in to get a cannoli or buy a wedding cake; it’s tradition," she said.
On other issues, Krajewski suggests a quality-of-life unit within the police department to respond to nuisance-type calls. She also established a rental housing court to address problem properties.
One of her signature creations was the Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP), which has abated more than 8,000 nuisance properties. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com