South Philly Review

Last Wednesday, a group of politicians and a room full of citizens got together at Palumbo Rec Center, 10th and Fitzwater streets, to participate in a time-honored tradition of the democratic process: a debate.

Sponsored by the Bella Vista United Civic Association, candidates running for state representative in the 182nd District and state senator in the 1st District presented their priorities. This was the first debate of its kind for the April 22 primary and, although planned well in advance, fell the same day state Sen. Vince Fumo announced he would not seek re-election. Fumo was scheduled to appear, but did not in light of his withdrawal earlier that day.

Hot topics differed between the two groups of candidates, each given either one or two minutes to answer questions posed by civic association members and the audience. At times, the room was heavy with emotion as candidates and constituents pressed the importance of issues like education, casinos, the economy and jobs.

With Fumo out of the race, Democrats John Dougherty, Anne Dicker and Larry Farnese are fighting for the ballot spot against in November Republican Jack Morely.

For state representative, Democratic incumbent Babette Josephs -- who was in session in Harrisburg and was represented by spokeswoman Susan Gobreski -- is up against newcomers Peggy Banaszek and Robert Gormley with the winner facing Republican Wally Zimolong in the general election.

With Fumo's surprise drop out, candidates didn't waste time proposing the changes they'd make. Questions centered around issues specific to Bella Vista, but the candidates broadened their answers to best meet the needs of the entire 1st District, which encompasses parts of South and Southwest, Center City, Fairmount and Logan Square. Additional issues like the state of business districts, including Passyunk and the Italian Market, and gun control were on the table.

When asked how they'd improve business in Bella Vista, the audience heard a range of replies

"I will work with people in the community, then look outside the district, see what works well in other cities," Farnese said. "Leave Pennsylvania, leave Philadelphia, identify those opportunities and then we work like heck to bring them back here. That's an economic development plan."

Dicker said she didn't believe a senator was an economic developer, and proposed to eliminate the business tax.

On ever-present casinos, the schools of thought differed as well. Farnese and Dougherty said they were not anti-casino, but more concerned with having them at Columbus Boulevard and Reed Street for Foxwoods and Columbus and Shackamaxon Street for SugarHouse. Dicker, co-founder of Casino-Free Philadelphia, is against them outright.

At the end of the debate, all promised a new outlook.

"Change is the key word," Morely said. "If you vote for me there's going to be a dramatic change in this district."

"Change to me is not an empty word. I've been living change now for five years. I think that I've talked to so many of you, I know what your priorities are," Dicker said.

"I'm less concerned with egos, personalities and petty power plays," Farnese stated. "We have to make this race about people and about giving this government, giving this seat back to who it belongs to -- that's you."

Dougherty offered the final word.

"I don't really care about the petty issues, it's about getting things done. That's why I'm running. I want to be your guy in Harrisburg, just like I've been your guy in this community."

Bundled with the 1st District debate, candidates for state representative were posed with the question, "What will be your top two priorities when you're elected to the State House in 2009?" The answers were as unique as the hopefuls, with each touching on issues the entire city -- including local communities -- are effected by.

Casinos were on the mind of Bella Vista resident Zimolong, who claimed if they were to come to South Philly "the neighborhood as we know it will die." He blamed Rendell for casinos even being considered for the city, which, he said would have a negative effect on the job market, his second priority should he win the seat.

"The reason why we have casinos is because government hasn't done a thing to develop that waterfront with things we can be proud of -- bio-tech farms, other industrial parks where people can work. They gave up. Rendell gave up," the candidate, who is guaranteed a seat come November, per not having primary opposition, said.