Burholme Civic Association last week invited political candidates and 2nd Police District community relations officer Mark Mroz to address members.
Mroz spoke first, inviting people to a trunk or treat/car show sponsored by the 2nd, 7th, 8th and 15th police districts on Sunday, Oct. 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Mission BBQ, 11000 Roosevelt Blvd.
The 2nd district will hold a mobile trick or treat on Oct. 31, Halloween.
The district will assist needy families for Thanksgiving. To suggest a 2nd district family for help at Thanksgiving, email Mark.Mroz@phila.gov.
In other news from the Oct. 13 meeting:
• City elections commissioner Seth Bluestein said mail-in ballots have been sent to voters who requested them. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Nov. 1. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 8. The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 24. Register at vote.pa.gov/Register. Polls are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. More information is at vote.phila.gov.
• The civic group invited all candidates to the meeting. The following candidates attended: Al Taubenberger, the Republican candidate in the 172nd Legislative District; Drew Murray, Republican candidate in one of two City Council at-large races; Sharon Vaughn, Democratic candidate for Council at large (Murray is not her opponent); Aaron Bashir, Republican candidate in the 2nd Congressional District; and Roslyn Ross, Republican candidate in the 9th Councilmanic District.
Taubenberger said he is “the last guy on the ballot with the longest name.” He grew up in the neighborhood and is a former longtime Burholme civic and Town Watch president. If elected, he promised to attend all Burholme civic meetings. Now living in Fox Chase, he is a former city councilman and gave out his cell phone number for residents to call with issues. He’d sponsor a bill to mandate a 2-year prison sentence for anyone in possession of an illegal gun and will hold a hearing to determine how all the illegal guns are obtained.
• Murray is a St. Joseph’s Prep graduate who lives in Center City with his wife and two daughters. He was president of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association for four years. He became a Republican five years ago and ran at large in 2019. In response to a question, he blamed District Attorney Larry Krasner’s policies for the high crime rate, contending there is a lack of illegal gun prosecutions. “His hubris won’t allow him to change his ideology,” Murray said of Krasner.
• Vaughn described herself as the “girl who gets things done.” She worked 33 years for three Council members: Augusta Clark, Marian Tasco and Derek Green. She was chief of staff for Green, who resigned to run for mayor. Like Taubenberger, she gave out her cell number. She’s a graduate of St. Elizabeth and John W. Hallahan (class of 1982). She’s handled constituent services and is Democratic leader of the 42nd Ward.
• Bashir is a married father of three who wants to go to Congress to address high grocery and gas prices and inflation, crime and poor public schools. In response to a question on violent crime, Bashir said kids should be taught “Thou shall not kill” in school and should not be allowed to get social media accounts until they are 18. “Guns don’t kill people. People kill people,” Bashir said.
• Ross, 52, is a former Democrat. She said she wants to continue some of the good work of former Councilwoman Cherelle Parker, who resigned to run for mayor. Her top issues are crime and quality of life. “Philadelphia can do better,” Ross said.
• State Rep. Jared Solomon will hold a Roosevelt Boulevard Subway Workshop on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6401 Martins Mill Road. There will be a discussion about options for a public transit line.
• State Rep. Kevin Boyle has closed his office at 7420 Frankford Ave., due to redistricting. His office at 7801 Hasbrook Ave. remains open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Burholme Civic Association will meet on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave. ••
