Neighborhood Networks held the second in its series of forums for Democratic candidates last Sunday afternoon at the Sedgwick Center, 7147 Germantown Ave.

Featured were two candidates for lieutenant governor, William Hall and Valerie McDonald Roberts; 198th Legislative District State Representative Rosita Youngblood and Democratic challenger Supreme Dow; and State Senator LeAnna Washington, running for renomination in the 4th Senatorial District. Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll and Lieutenant Governor candidate Gene Stilp did not attend.
Roberts, a former member of the Pittsburgh City Council, said the office of Lieutenant Governor is not to be underestimated.

"The state takeover of the Philadelphia schools was made under then Lieutenant Governor, who became acting Governor, Mark Schweiker," she said. "We need a fresh perspective. We have a progressive governor, but not a progressive lieutenant governor."

Hall owns his own business and has a background in construction.
"I really love this state and I love Philadelphia," said Hall. "I have a lot of respect for the history and we could be a leader in this country."

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Washington, formerly the state representative for the 200th Legislative District, won election to the State Senate in a special election to replace Sen. Allyson Schwartz after Schwartz was elected to Congress. Washington has introduced a-one-gun-purchse-per-month bill in the Senate, and has allocated $1 million each to Pleasant Playground, Germantown Settlement, and Lutheran Theological Seminary.

When asked about violence in the schools, Washington said that part of the problem derives from another social problem that is not being addressed.

"Parents are not engaged. More interaction needs to be mandatory. When you see children with crack cocaine, they got it from the house," said Washington, advocating that "You don't get welfare benefits if you don't do X, Y or Z."
Resident Barbara Bloom asked how the legislative process could be streamlined to make passage of bills less burdensome. Washington said that the Senate doesn't operate in quite the same way as the House, but acknowledged the need for change.

"The vehicle might be a church bill, but then when it comes out of committee it's a school take-over," said Washington.
Youngblood gave an example of the quandary she faced when she wanted her forensic rape bill to pass. The bill mandates that victims do not have to pay for forensic tests and medications. She said when the Senate was done with her bill, Senator Greenleaf tacked on provisions about wiretapping prisoners.

"I had to make some serious decisions because a lot of the language was gutted," she said. "I decided to let it go through because if I started the process all over again, the same thing would have happened."

Washington encouraged people to call her office anytime if they have concerns.

"I am not afraid to speak up and say what is necessary," she said. "I will always deal with your issues."
Youngblood has represented the 198th District, which stretches from Nicetown/Tioga to Chestnut Hill, since 1994. She sponsored the Kinship Care Act in 2003, allowing relatives of children placed in foster care to have first consideration in home placement; continues to hold her annual Halloween Fair Children's Fair; has given monies to community organizations such as the Happy Hollow Playground, YMCA, Chestnut Hill Community Association, and Allens Lane Art Center. She has also announced several educational opportunities including various scholarships and free tuition at Harvard University for eligible students. In addition she has hosted over 20 community meetings, most recently about eminent domain in response to concerns about the possible casino at the former Budd site in Nicetown.

"We are looking at ways to develop new initiatives for Philadelphia," said Youngblood, who is a single mother. "We believe in making sure that people living in the 198th District and the surrounding community are informed."
Dow, who is married and has eight children, tried for the Democratic nomination in the 198th two years ago, but his signature petitions were successfully challenged by Youngblood. He is a long-time community activist and currently president of the Happy Hollow Advisory Council, and worked with Congressman Chaka Fattah to get a computer lab at the Happy Hollow.

"The reason that I am running is because I know the district deserves better," said Dow. "We need replace legislators that vote in favor of pay raises in the early hours of the morning and did not give them back. One of those legislators was Rosita Youngblood."

Dow asserted that crime has reached record levels and that a lot youth are frustrated. He said he believed that an increase of economic opportunity could stem a lot of crime.

"This theater used to a laundromat a long time ago and people used to hang out and other activities would occur. Now

it's the Sedgwick and you don't see that anymore," he said.
 

One resident, said that she has lived in Nicetown for over 30 years and she has heard very little from Youngblood.
"I have gotten literature, but only when it is time for election," she said. "When I call the office, I don't get any feedback. Crime is rampant. Why should I vote for you?" she asked Youngblood.

Both Youngblood and Dow are in opposition to Representative Scott Boyd's bill defining marriage, and believe in protecting a woman's right to choose.

Youngblood was asked about why she voted for and took the pay raise legislators passed in 2005.
"We haven't had a raise since 1995," said Youngblood. "As a single parent, raising three kids, I thought that it was necessary.

"I spend a lot of my personal money on the district. I have bought people's groceries, paid their utility bills, bought Similac. I do a lot of things from my heart. We are a full-time body [and for] a lot of legislators it's their only source of income. I'm not giving it back."

"There are a lot times that I have helped people out in my life, and I've never been paid," said Dow. "If I could give myself a raise, I would do it every three days. But I can't. It was illegal."