Dan Martino, Sean Kilkenny and other political hopefuls attended the Holmesburg Civic meeting.
Holmesburg Civic Association recently welcomed political candidates competing in the May 15 primary.
Those attending were Dan Martino and Sean Kilkenny, Democratic candidates in the 177th Legislative District; Karen Borski, mother of Maggie Borski, a Democratic candidate in the 177th Legislative District; Elijah Myers, a Republican write-in candidate in the 2nd Senatorial District; Dan Gross, communications director for Michele Lawrence, a Democratic candidate in the 2nd Congressional District; Mike Tomlinson, a representative for David Torres, the Republican candidate in the 2nd Congressional District; and Diane O’Dwyer, a representative for Kathi Cozzone, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor.
Martino, a 33-year-old graphic designer, is active with Town Watch and his local civic association to maintain a good quality of life. He credits a camera program with a decrease in thefts and burglaries. He tries to keep young families engaged and living in the neighborhood by having tree plantings and Saturday street cleanings. “Win or lose, I’m still going to be out there every day.” In response to questions, he opposes fracking and supports an assault weapons ban and safe injection sites for drug addicts, noting the roughly 1,200 opioid-related deaths in Philadelphia last year were four times the number of homicides. “We need to do something, yesterday.”
Kilkenny, a Chippendale Street resident, is running to help high school graduates have career-ready skills and support working families and senior citizens. He wants the dangers of drugs to be taught at an early age. He’s been endorsed by the city’s police, firefighter and paramedic unions. He is undecided on safe injection sites and for an assault weapons ban.
Borski filled in for her daughter, who was taking a class at Temple’s law school. The younger Borski’s three sisters are teachers, and she has been endorsed by the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. “We need fresh, young leadership,” Karen Borski said of her 25-year-old daughter.
Myers, an artist who is active in the 23rd Ward Republican Committee, needs 500 write-in votes to secure the Republican nomination and the right to challenge Democratic Sen. Tina Tartaglione. He thinks the district would benefit from beautification projects. He opposes safe injection sites and an assault weapons ban.
Gross described Lawrence as a former bank executive who is passionate about quality education and affordable health care.
Tomlinson said Torres is for term limits and will be focusing on issues of drugs, immigration, senior citizens, taxes, schools and debt.
O’Dwyer told the crowd that Cozzone, a Chester County commissioner for 10 years, is the best choice among five Democrats running for lieutenant governor. She noted that Lancaster County Commissioner Craig Lehman and Westmoreland County IT project manager Aryanna Berringer, who both dropped out, have endorsed Cozzone. Workforce development is one of Cozzone’s key issues, according to O’Dwyer.
In other news from the April 10 meeting:
• City Councilman Bobby Henon will hold a forum on the city budget on Wednesday, April 25, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at St. Jerome School, 3031 Stamford St. To register, call 215–683–9220 or visit goo.gl/xMHyhU
• The Holmesburg Coalition will meet on Wednesday, April 25, at 7 p.m. at New Foundations Charter Elementary School, Torresdale Avenue and Rhawn Street.
• Boy Scout Troop 252 will hold a flea market on Saturday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the All Saints church parking lot, 9601 Frankford Ave. Vendors can email 252bsa@gmail.com or call 215–534–1072.
• Holmesburg Civic Association will meet on Tuesday, May 8, at 7:15 p.m. at Holmesburg Recreation Center, at Rhawn and Ditman streets. ••
