Republican 2nd Congressional District candidate David Torres discussed his policies, which include border security, job creation and opposing safe injection sites.
Last week’s Take Back Your Neighborhood meeting featured appearances by Mark Mroz, 2nd Police District community relations officer, and David Torres, Republican candidate in the 2nd Congressional District.
Torres, a North Philadelphia resident, has a background in small business management. He is making his first run for office.
His platform includes border security, supporting policies that create jobs and opposition to safe injection sites. His adult son died of a drug overdose.
The candidate supports the principles of Narcotics Anonymous.
“Safe injection sites are not the answer,” he said.
During the candidate’s address, a woman complained that a lot of illegal immigrants make money in the United States and send it to family in their home country.
Three Pakistani-Americans — Christians who came here legally — were in the crowd. They cautioned the crowd to never forget the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, adding that border security will help keep out radical Islamists. All terrorist attacks, they said, have been committed by Muslims.
Anthony Bellmon, who manages U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle’s Olney office, said Americans are more likely to be killed by a white person in a school shooting than by a Muslim. Bellmon also accused President Donald Trump of wanting to keep black- and brown-skinned people out of the U.S., pointing to his comment complaining about immigrants coming from “s — -hole” countries. The congressional aide recalled constituents crying in his office when Trump took office on Jan. 20, 2017, fearful that family members would be kept out of the U.S.
“That’s what’s at stake in this election,” he said.
In other news from the Oct. 15 meeting:
• State Rep. Jared Solomon and Northeast High School will present Pennsylvania Ballet II on Friday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. The title is Youth Dance Festival: Shining a Spotlight on Dance Education. Admission is free. Northeast is at 1601 Cottman Ave.
• Northeast NORC is seeking volunteers for its annual Winterization Day on Sunday, Nov. 4. Volunteers will seal drafty windows and doors; replace smoke alarm batteries; replace hard-to-reach light bulbs; rake leaves; clean windows; and clean out basements and garages. The time slots are 10 a.m. to noon, noon to 2 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. To volunteer, contact Michael Priole at 215–320–0351 or mpriole@jewishphilly.org
• Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Ave. (near Bustleton Ave.), will host a free Investing Workshop on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Northeast Regional will host a presentation, Business Success, on Wednesday, Nov. 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The presenting organization will be SCORE.
The library will host a Friends of the Library Open House on Nov. 13 at 3:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Call 215–685–0501.
• Take Back Your Neighborhood will meet on Monday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. at Max Myers Playground, 1601 Hellerman St. ••
