Councilwoman Cindy Bass holds fundraiser for her political committee

With City Council in session and the debate over tax increases and the school district budget taking up a lot of her time, Cindy Bass is busy. But that didn’t stop her from making an appearance Thursday evening at a fundraiser held by her campaign committee, Friends of Cindy Bass, during a break in the action, at Tavern 17 in Center City.

Bass made it clear that she needed to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice when she got the word that City Council would reconvene. “We’re actually still in session right now,” Bass said of Council. “We’re expected to be called back at any moment.”

As for the City Council’s course of action, Bass said it was still up in the air. “I can tell you at this moment, we have no idea what’s going to happen,” she said. “I have no doubt that AVI will come, (but) the question is when it will come.”

Fundraiser attendees had nothing but compliments and well wishes for the freshman councilwoman in her first term. “Personally and professionally, I’ve watched her grow,” said Sheilah Vance, who has known Bass since the 1990s when Vance’s husband was campaigning for the position Bass now occupies. “It’s been wonderful to see how she has blossomed into a fabulous public official in her own right.”

Harry Fash, owner of a casket company, attended Bass’s Tuesday night meeting and the fundraiser to show his support for the councilwoman. “The only reason I’m here is because I’m happy to see someone new in city council,” Fash said.

The feelings were mutual. Bass praised her audience for their support financially and otherwise. “What you see is diversity in terms of who they are and what they represent,” Bass said of the attendees. “It’s diverse economically and racially.

So, of all times, why a fundraiser now?

Well, a few reasons, Bass says. “We needed to raise a few dollars,” she said. “We wanted to be able to support other candidates.”

Although she wouldn’t say which candidates she was referring to, Bass did hint that there were quite a few candidates in the local and national races that she wants to get behind.

Retiring campaign debt is another reason. Candidates often break the bank trying to campaign for office, and Bass is no exception. She hopes that fundraisers will help her pay her dues.

Most likely the event at Tavern 17 is only the first of several to come, although Bass didn’t specify when or where others would be held.

When asked if she would use funds collected to install a district office, Bass said that tentative plans were in the works to arrange for one, but she would not disclose further details.

Fran Fattah, a volunteer for the Friends of Cindy Bass, said that this was only one of many steps for Bass supporters to take. “We want you to continue to come,” she said. “Don’t let this be you’re only effort.”