Allan Domb, a Democratic candidate for mayor, on Sunday afternoon opened a campaign office at 9200 Academy Road.
The event featured music, T-shirts that read, “The Northeast’s Choice. Allan Domb,” and plenty of food – pretzels, water ice, hot dogs and Gaeta’s tomato pie. The campaign office is located inside the Loza Law Firm property.
Among those on hand were former Sheriff Barbara Deeley and Realtor Chris Artur.
Domb spoke of his upbringing in Fort Lee, New Jersey. After coming to Philadelphia in his 20s, he took real estate classes with Jay Lamont at Temple, leading to a successful career in real estate. In 2015, he was elected to City Council at large and re-elected four years later. He resigned to run for mayor.
If elected, he’d develop a business plan for each of the 10 Council districts. The Northeast has potential, he said, citing Northeast Philadelphia Airport and Leonardo Helicopters as two assets.
Domb said crime is the top issue, and he conferred with former Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey on his 10-point safety plan. One of the points is to triple the funding for recruitment of police officers. Another is to crack down on retail theft. He pointed to the Seventh Commandment, Thou Shalt Not Steal.
“I don’t know when it became OK to steal up to $500,” he said.
On education, Domb wants financial literacy, technology and entrepreneurship taught in kindergarten through 12th grade.
High schoolers, he believes, should work one day out of the week. A few schools, he thinks, should offer training for young people with an eye on becoming a police officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician or member of the building trades. He even suggested a training program to learn about becoming an L&I inspector, since the department has vacancies.
For adults, he’d implement evening courses on home ownership.
“That’s the key to generational wealth, home ownership,” he said. ••
