Solomon vows to tackle violent crime

Jared Solomon, who is challenging state Rep. Mark Cohen in the May 20 Democratic primary, offered some short- and long-term fixes to reduce violent crime and blight following the triple murder in Lawndale last week.

Solomon, a lawyer and president of the Take Back Your Neighborhood civic association, called for increased education funding and initiatives to create good-paying jobs as long-term solutions.

In the short term, he wants more community policing in the 2nd and 15th police districts, along with the best equipment for officers. He believes cameras, sensors and gunshot locators can combat armed robberies and other crimes.

Solomon said he is running to continue what he is doing with the civic association, tracking down absentee landlords to maintain properties, keep out unruly tenants and make sure snow is shoveled on sidewalks.

The candidate also argued for greater regulations on drug and alcohol halfway houses, contending that such facilities have hurt Frankford.

“Right now, legally setting up a halfway house is as easy as setting up a lemonade stand, but there is little legal oversight that the city and state can take to regulate these halfway houses,” he said. “If elected, I will support HB 1298 to protect the health and safety of halfway house clients, workers, and our community.”

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Jason Dawkins, who is challenging state Rep. James Clay (D-179th dist.) in the primary, suggested that Gov. Tom Corbett announced a proposed increase in education funding in his budget address because he is seeking re-election.

Dawkins also called on Corbett to enact a severance tax on natural gas drilling, like other energy-producing states do. He estimated it would generate $2 billion per year for the next 50 years.

“The governor chooses to leave Pennsylvania’s money on the table, money that can be used to invest in businesses that create jobs for residents all across the commonwealth, including Philadelphia,” said Dawkins, a Frankford resident and former aide to City Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez.

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Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, who is seeking the Democratic nomination in the 13th Congressional District, will give an overview of the Affordable Care Act on Tuesday, March 4, at 1:30 p.m. at the Rydal Park continuing care retirement community, at 1515 The Fairway in Jenkintown.

The public is invited.

Arkoosh, the former president of the National Physicians Alliance, will focus her remarks on the law’s effects on senior citizens and Medicare.

To register, call 215–376–6292.

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The Philadelphia law firm Stradley Ronon recently hosted a breakfast fundraiser for former congresswoman Marjorie Margolies, who also is running for the Democratic nomination in the 13th district.

Among the guests were former Pennsylvania Gov. and Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, U.S. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro, counsel at Stradley Ronon.

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Tom Wolf, a Democratic candidate for governor, released what he calls a “Fresh Start Plan” to drive economic growth for Pennsylvania’s middle class.

“We need to make investments in our future, and I will use my experience in business and government to create jobs, invest in education and build a stronger Pennsylvania,” he said. “We have an abundance of natural resources, vibrant industries, world-class universities and colleges, and we are in an ideal geographic location to be the transportation hub between the East Coast, Midwest and global markets.”

Wolf is a York County businessman and former secretary of the Department of Revenue under Gov. Ed Rendell.

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The Pennsylvania State Education Association’s Political Action Committee for Education officially recommended State Treasurer Rob McCord in the Democratic primary for governor.

The union emphasized McCord’s commitment to public education in its announcement.

“PSEA-PACE is pleased to recommend Rob McCord to be Pennsylvania’s next governor. Rob has a sterling record on public education issues, will make Pennsylvania’s students a top priority, and will fight to reverse the school funding crisis that Tom Corbett has created,” said Mike Crossey, president of the PSEA.

An affiliate of the National Education Association, PSEA represents about 180,000 teachers, school employees and health care workers in Pennsylvania.

McCord also was endorsed by the Laborers’ District Council of the Metropolitan Area of Philadelphia and Vicinity.

The union has about 5,000 members in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

“We need a champion like State Treasurer Rob McCord as governor in Harrisburg because he understands working families in Pennsylvania and the sacrifices it takes them to make ends meet,” said Dennis L. Martire, vice president and regional manager of the Laborers’ International Union of North America. “Rob has walked in the shoes of working people and understands how regular people struggle. He will do all that he can to improve their lives with good public policy because he has created thousands of jobs in the private sector, which gives him a unique perspective. We endorse him with enthusiasm as he continues to travel the state and appeal to middle-class families.”

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Katie McGinty, who also is seeking the Democratic nod for governor, released a video calling on Gov. Tom Corbett and the legislature to increase the minimum wage. The video was filmed on the Philadelphia waterfront, with Camden in the background to highlight the fact that New Jersey on Jan. 1 raised its hourly minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.25.

McGinty, a Rhawnhurst native and St. Hubert High School graduate, supports raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, along with a cost-of-living adjustment tied to the Consumer Price Index to ensure workers’ wages keep pace with inflation.

“Economists are very clear we won’t see the economy pick up unless we pay people a decent wage,” she says in the video. ••