HomeNewsLetters to the Editor: October 28, 2015

Letters to the Editor: October 28, 2015

Tinney wants to better serve the Northeast

As a lifelong resident of Northeast Philadelphia, I value hard work and responsibility like so many hard-working families in our neighborhoods. As a proud graduate of Our Lady of Calvary and Archbishop Ryan, I learned first hand how sacrifice and determination can lead to success and achievement. With my family’s support and encouragement, I graduated with honors from Penn State with a dual degree in International Business and Business Logistics and also studied abroad in Taiwan for six months. I previously served as a financial adviser and I currently work as a proud union member of Steamfitters Local 420. I am running for public office because I I want to help working families like so many in our neighborhoods.

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My plan is simple. Step one is to make sure we don’t have any more increases in our property taxes. We are crushing our seniors, many of whom are on a fixed income and simply cannot afford it.

Step two is to improve our police response time by supporting more police hiring. The Northeast lags other areas of the city in this regard due to our lower crime rate.

Third is to collect the back taxes of the approximately 100,000 people who owe back real estate taxes. This equates to approximately $550,000,000 in revenue. The Northeast pays a disproportionate share of taxes and we receive sub-standard services. I want to be an advocate for the Northeast and make sure that we get the services we deserve.

As a first-time candidate, I am humbled and honored to have the endorsements of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5 and IAFF Local 22 Fire Fighters and Paramedics as well as the exclusive endorsements of the Philadelphia AFL-CIO and the Philadelphia Building Trades.

I humbly thank you for your support and ask you to caste one of your 5 votes for me.

Please push button #229 first to vote for me, Republican Dan Tinney, this Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Dan Tinney

Republican Candidate for City Council At-Large

Oh is ready to accomplish more

It has been my honor to serve you as a Councilman At-Large. I work hard, putting in long hours, weekends and holidays to do the very best job I can for the people of our city. I have a clear vision of what we can do to be a great city with a vibrant economy, good jobs, a full range of opportunities, excellent schools, clean and safe neighborhoods with well-maintained parks and recreation centers, modern technology and a solid infrastructure. But it takes commitment, perseverance and the willingness to work with others to get these goals accomplished.

As a Councilman At-Large, I have created laws, introduced legislation, held hearings, started initiatives and addressed the concerns of constituents throughout our city to make Philadelphia a great place to live, work and raise a family. I advocated for the creation of a Council Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy. Not only was it created but I was appointed Chairman. Since then, I’ve traveled at my own expense to meet with major employers in other cities and countries to make the case for Philadelphia. I held hearings on how our city can be more competitive in the global market place. As a result, we identified a strategic plan to significantly increase jobs and opportunities in Philadelphia, especially for those without a college degree. I created a business tax credit for companies that hire returning veterans. They get $5,000 off their city business taxes for 3 years. That’s $15,000 for hiring a veteran. I also created a law to protect working mothers from being fired or harassed simply for wanting to pump breast milk in the work place where it can be accommodated.

I introduced a bill to cut the Wage & Net Profits Tax in half over 11 years. That’s a $100 million tax reduction of our city’s most damaging tax. I also introduced amendments to cut our city’s Budget by $48 million in 2013, $74 million in 2014 and $105 million in 2015 (and use this money to fund the schools rather than increase taxes). All without reducing a penny of service provided to our citizens.

As a former Philadelphia Assistant D.A. and Army Officer, 2LT (MOS 18A/not SF tabbed), Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, 1989–1992, I’m a strong advocate for public safety and our first responders. I introduced the bill which set aside $64 million for the fire fighters contract and then overrode the Mayor’s veto. This helped to end the many appeals being filed by the administration. I have advocated for better pay, equipment, technology and working conditions for our public safety officers.

I also held hearings on national and global best practices in public education. As a result, I introduced a bill to establish a best practices Board of Education and School District administration to replace the SRC and current management structure. This would ensure good academic, vocational/career & creative economy, and arts education in every school. And place modern technology in every school.

I look forward to accomplishing more for our city in my second term. Please vote for me on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Press #226.

David Oh

Councilman At-Large

Time is now to elect Al

I am asking all Democrats, Republicans and independents to come out for the most important race in Northeast Philadelphia and vote for our neighbor Al Taubenberger for City Council at large on Tuesday. He is button №230.

If elected, Al Taubenberger will work tirelessly to fix many issues currently plaguing our government such as poor leadership, mismanagement of city finances, poor services, corruption, failing public schools, high crime and lack of family-sustaining jobs.

We, here in Northeast Philadelphia, need someone in City Council to be our voice. Al is someone who knows us and cares about our neighborhoods. I am basing my claims off Al’s many years of service to Philadelphia residents. His credentials speak for themselves: President of the Greater Northeast Chamber of Commerce, he currently serves as president of Burholme Civic, started Burholme Town Watch and has over 30 years of government (working for Congressman Dougherty, Councilwoman Krajewski and Councilman Kelly) and private sector experience. Al is also on the board of Northeast Philadelphia Victim Services.

As a small business owner, taxpayer and lifelong resident of Philadelphia, I believe the time is now to elect Al to City Council for Northeast Philadelphia so he can be our voice in a City Council that severely lacks representation for the Northeast. There is no question in my mind that we need a city councilperson fully dedicated to the interest of the retailers, small businesses, small industries, shopkeepers of Philadelphia, taxpayers and residents. We need someone with the passion and experience to look out for us. We need Al Taubenberger now.

Gary Grisafi

Owner of Grisafi Music Institute

53rd Ward Republican Ward Leader

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