Council nominee Bass embarks on a listening tour

Wet weather made for an intimate Wednesday night community meeting in Germantown with the Eighth District’s Democratic nominee Cindy Bass.

Bass, who is making her second stab at the Philadelphia City Council seat, stopped by the Janes Memorial United Methodist Church as part of her campaign’s Community Listening Tour.

A handful of Eighth District residents sat in a small circle with the Democratic hopeful for an informal question and answer session.

Nathan Thomas, a West Oak Lane resident who works for State Rep. John Myers (D-201), asked Bass how she would improve Germantown’s commercial corridors.

Bass said the key to turning things around is to bring in a more diverse array of businesses and for those businesses to hire from the community.

“That’s going to go a long way in stabilizing our community and making sure that households are able to support themselves,” said Bass.

Bass said she would make job training available so that residents don’t miss out on employment opportunities.

Education also took center stage Wednesday night.

Bass said she would be more “actively engaged” in the area’s public schools than past Council representatives.

If elected, Bass said she would meet with all of the district’s principals to understand their concerns and how her office could be helpful.

“We can’t do things the way we’ve done them in the past,” said Bass.

Bass will face Brian Rudnick, an Independent candidate in the general election Nov. 8. Incumbent Democrat Donna Reed Miller is not seeking re-election.

Bass’ Community Listening Tour continues Oct. 25 at the Nazarene Baptist Church at the corner of Germantown Avenue and Luzerne Street.

The tour will then hit Church of the Brethren at 6601 Germantown Avenue Nov. 1 before closing out Nov. 2 at St. Therese Catholic Church at the corner of Ardleigh and Upsal Sts.

All meetings are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

 

You can contact Aaron Moselle at amoselle@whyy.org.