Why is it that the guy running for repr. Mark McGeehan's house seat is nowhere to be found? Doesn't he wish to beat McGeehan in the election? If you're gonna run for office, do it right is how I feel about this situation.
Also, how come we don't hear nothing about the people running against all the other reps. and senators? Are they being told to keep their mouths shut?

News Gleaner Article from 9/27/06

Reynolds Baldwin is man with experiences in a variety of disciplines-whether it be as a professor at Bucks County Community College, a civic leader in Fishtown or a minister at Siloam Methodist Church.

"Through my work as a teacher, a civic leader and a minister, I've learned that all people want a quality of life," Baldwin said. "They want to be left alone to raise their families, to go to work and feel safe."

Baldwin, as well as his family, has deep ties and involvement with Northeast Philadelphia. His family owns the Baldwin Frankford Dairies. At one time he sold real estate in Tacony and Frankford. He's also the co-founder of the Aramingo Development Co.

"While working as a civic leader in Fishtown, I developed a plan for our local schools that not only increased attendance by 70 percent but helped ease racial tensions," said Baldwin, co-founder of Fishtown Concerned Citizens.

According to Baldwin, a Frankford native who currently lives on the 6600 block of Tulip St., the local government is failing miserably at providing the people of the 173rd district with these basic needs.

"The neighborhood is clearly in decline," Baldwin said. "It doesn't have to be this way. There's clearly a leadership gap."

It is because of this "decline," that Baldwin is challenging state Rep. Michael McGeehan (D) for the 173rd legislative district seat. As a Republican, the adjunct professor of American History faces a difficult task in unseating the nine-term democratic incumbent who presides over a predominately democratic district.

"I have the background to provide the leadership that the 173rd district totally lacks now," Baldwin said. "The mayor doesn't care and when the mayor doesn't care, the state representative has to step forward."
"People need hope," he added. "People have the right to believe that their neighbor is going to mow his lawn. They have the right to believe that their neighbors' kids will behave, and that the playgrounds are going to be maintained. They have a right to believe that they will be safe. This is a basic duty of government."

In order to address crime and public safety, Baldwin proposes both the strengthening of the district's police force and the empowering of its civic groups.

"Over 400 police retired over the summer," Baldwin said. "Less than 100 graduated from the police academy. This is unacceptable. I have a plan that would earmark $35 million to hire 1500 more police."

Police aren't the only answer, Baldwin adds. He believes that stronger civic associations will allow for citizens to stand up and take care of their communities themselves.

"I want to bring to main things-morale to the police force and morale to the community," said Baldwin, a great admirer of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's work to tackle crime. "Giuliani, with New York, he didn't just try to tackle violent crimes or gun crimes. He took a strong stance against all crime. We need to take care of the little things first. This will let criminals know that no crime is tolerated in the area."

Baldwin also wishes to address the issue of absentee landlords, especially prominent, he says, with the number of vacant houses along Torresdale Ave.

"People don't want much," Baldwin said. "It surprises me how little people want. It's so basic. And as a state representative I would have the power to address these needs."

Baldwin does not believe that everything is dire, however. There are many successes for the area. One such success is with education

"Our schools have made tremendous strides," Baldwin said. "That needs to continue on. As a representative I can make a real effort to secure more school funds."

Yet Baldwin still believes there is much to be done.

"I really believe that the 173rd district is at a crossroads," Baldwin said. "Stability doesn't just happen in an area because there's development on the move or the city puts money into it. Stability comes from within the community itself."

©News Gleaner 2006

Reynolds Baldwin on YOUTUBE pretty impressive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00gWfq04cuQ

Heading the quality of life comittee for the civic, we are getting 5 - 10 complaints aday!!! I am tearing my hair out, powerless to help these life long and in some cases new residents, who moved here only to come under attacked by roudy, ignorants neighbors, drugs, prostitutes I can not believe what has become of my lovely neighborhood.

cammycap, have you considered contacting your current State Rep.? Apparently, he has recently removed his cloak of invisibilty and has been sighted ambling about the neighborhoods. If you ask nicely, perhaps you'll qualify for a MARC flower pot.

It seems to me you should be contacting (and blaming) your city council person.
Your city council person is the one who has the most control over the neighborhood issues you mentioned.

A state representative handles state issues. Yes, they may be able to fund community projects and initiatives. But it's the city council person who represents the neighbors and helps provide city services that could help with quality of life complaints as you mentioned.

Just because it's election time for the state reps, dont be fooled in placing the blame where it doesn't belong.

__________________
United we stand. Divided we fall.

The decline of the neighborhood is a direct result of the absence of leadership by the State Rep. Look across Frankford Avenue - no one is complaining about the lack of accomplishment that can ve attributed to the State Rep. there.

Let's be honest - Mcgeehan is to blame. Why do you think he keeps his mouth shut on all issues, except for Liddonfield. He takes great pride in that.

Camille,

That is truly disturbing. Are you and/or the Town Watch noticing any greater cooperation from the 15th now that the new captain is in place? I'd like to believe you folks have a direct line to them. I'm told he'll be a great deal more responsive than what we've been used to.

When my block was dealing with the problems you've listed--drugs and prostitutes, anyway-- we did receive cooperation and information from Joan Krajewski's office. Are they at all responsive to you? Helpful?

It was ultimately a sheriff's sale that saved us--not the politicians or the cops. CLIP was helpful in the interim, though -- they made the guy at least take care of his property.

McGeehan's office... I can't say I recall a response one way or another.

cammycap,

How can you head a quality of life committee when your business, Players Bar, and your husband's business was cited by CLIP for the illegal signs you posted on public utility poles? Those signs contribute to the trash in our streets.

There is a policy about getting personal on Phillyblog. Besides, poll signs are the least of the worries in the Northeast.

But, way to contribute to the thread.