Candidates in Tuesday’s election made late pitches to voters at last week’s Burholme Community Town Watch and Civic Association meeting, held at the Wesley Enhanced Living site at 7040 Oxford Ave.
Here is a breakdown of what was said:
• 13th Congressional District
Republican Dee Adcock, a swimming pool company owner, spoke about his support for small businesses. He also wants to reform Obamacare and improve schools. Primary challenger Beverly Plosa-Bowser, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, said she wanted to help small businesses so the stagnant economy will begin to grow. She believes her background will give her a fresh perspective on what is happening in Washington.
Democrat Brendan Boyle, a state representative, said he’s running to help the “forgotten middle class.” He said he is the only one of the four Democrats running who is not a multimillionaire. He bills himself as the only Philadelphian in the race. No Northeast resident has served in Congress since Bob Borski retired in 2002. “We can change that on May 20th,” Boyle said.
Another Democrat, Dr. Val Arkoosh, portrayed herself as an outsider. “Congress is full of career politicians.” She plans to be an “ally” to constituents, not just a representative. She lobbied for Obamacare as head of the National Physicians Alliance. She wants the minimum wage to be $12 an hour.
Democrat Daylin Leach, a state senator, grew up in the Northeast and touts himself as the most progressive member of the legislature. He favors paid family leave and interest-free student loan payments. He likes to say that he will not win every battle, but, “I will fight every battle.”
• 202nd Legislative District
State Rep. Mark Cohen, a Democrat elected in 1974, said he’s been a leader in the fights for expanded Medicaid, a higher minimum wage and more funding for property tax/rent rebates for senior citizens. He also wants to keep the Pennsylvania Lottery operated by the state since much of the proceeds go to discounted prescription drugs for the elderly. “I have stood up to Tom Corbett on issue after issue.” Cohen faults primary challenger Jared Solomon for running a negative campaign.
Solomon is the founder of the Castor Gardens-based Take Back Your Neighborhood civic association. He’s been going door-to-door since January, talking about issues such as the struggling business corridors and what he sees as the need to replace Cohen. “He has been in office since Watergate.”
• 2nd Senatorial District
Republican John Jenkins called for business-friendly policies, more support for Catholic and charter schools and term limits. “Eight years was good enough for George Washington.” He also pointed to the five Philadelphia Democratic state representatives who have been accused of taking money and gifts, lamenting that, “Many of these people are going to sail right into re-election.”
State Sen. Tina Tartaglione, a Democrat, has been in office for 20 years. She has been a longtime supporter of an increased minimum wage and said it is a “crime” that the tipped minimum wage is $2.38 an hour. She opposes privatizing the Pennsylvania Lottery. She’s been endorsed by Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 and the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association.
Danny Savage, a former city councilman challenging Tartaglione in the primary, spoke of improving Deni Playground during his 13 months in office. “I love public service.” He wants to expand Medicaid and use taxes on natural gas drilling to fund public education.
• City Council at-large
Republican Matt Wolfe faulted Mayor Michael Nutter and City Council for raising taxes. His budget priorities would be the police and fire departments, education, the Department of Licenses and Inspections and city cleanups. He opposes a proposed change to the Home Rule Charter that would allow city elected officials to remain on the job while running for another office. “Vote No on question №2,” he said.
Campaign manager Brian Eddis spoke for Democrat Ed Neilson, a state representative. Eddis said Neilson’s priorities include public safety and economic opportunity. In Council, he’d be a “voice for Northeast Philadelphia.”
• Burholme Community Town Watch and Civic Association will meet again on Thursday, June 12, at 7 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, at Cottman and Lawndale avenues. Free water ice and pretzels will be available, and winners of a children’s essay contest will be recognized. ••
