A plan to improve voting
During my campaign for the Office of City Commissioners, residents express their disconnection from government, dissatisfaction with city services, and frustration in not knowing what help is available or how to access it.
They can affect change in the voting booth.
Philadelphia cannot be content with paltry 10 percent to 15 percent voter turnout.
The City Commissioners must do more to increase turnout.
I have a plan to work with communities to make voting as easy as possible.
As commissioner, I will work with my colleagues to bring civic education into the classroom and register eligible high school juniors and seniors.
I will review all city voting locations to ensure that polling places are easily accessible and centrally located, not an inconvenience to voters.
I will implement the recommendations contained in the City Controller’s audit to ensure that our voting rolls are as accurate as possible, thereby reducing the need for provisional ballots.
And I will embrace the latest technology by developing an app and a text program to report irregularities on Election Day.
With every Commissioner working together — regardless of party affiliation — we can increase voter turnout and make everyone’s voice heard.
That’s why I’m running.
LISA M. DEELEY
Democratic Candidate for the Office of City Commissioners
Cheers to the NE Times
Congratulations to the Northeast Times on your 80th anniversary.
Unlike the Olney Times, the News Gleaner, and the Northeast Breeze, all of which became subjected to turmoil, the Times survived.
Interesting articles, advertisers and people who support them have contributed to the success of the Northeast Times.
Here’s wishing you many more years in publication.
MARIE PATTON
Fox Chase
Tax dollars to good use
During my career as a financial adviser I have helped hundreds of hard-working families plan for a better future. I found most of the people I met had similar goals. They want to pay off their debt, have a savings, access to a quality education for their kids and save enough for retirement. Those goals are getting harder and harder to achieve.
I saw so much of the families’ income going toward taxes and tuition costs that I decided I needed to do something more proactive to help people. That’s why I am running for state representative in a special election on March 24. We have too many politicians who are more interested in lining their own pockets than helping the people who are counting on them.
I’m running because I know Harrisburg needs my financial expertise. Too many people there look at our tax money as “revenue” for them to spend on political favors instead of the overtime people are working just to pay the mortgage. I understand the dollars the state has to spend came out of your pocket first and I will hold them accountable on how they spend it. We deserve better, that’s why I’m asking for your vote.
MARTINA WHITE
Candidate for State Representative
Race no factor in LLWS
My heart breaks for the Jackie Robinson Little League team from Chicago, which was stripped of its U.S. title for using players outside its boundaries. As a parent of three children, I have to state that all the parents and, possibly, the players knew where their teammates were from. Now to say the kids knew the rules, that’s a gray area, but I would bet the parents did. I’m not being sucked in on all the innocence that is being flung around at the press conferences. For a world that is supposed to be moving forward against racism, why does it always come back to that? Our Philadelphia team worked just as hard, as did the Korean team. No matter what race the players are, if you cheat, you cannot win. Where is the racism in that? Parents, be very careful what you are teaching your children!
KATHLEEN GILLESPIE
Far Northeast
