G-town activist declares for 8th District seat

John Churchville, a Germantown activist who supports a “green business district” and opposes casinos, has decided to enter the Democratic primary for the Eighth District seat on Philadelphia City Council.

In an e-mail today to potential supporters, Churchville said his candidacy is “motivated by my desire to see the creation of a sustainable future for our children in this community.”

Churchville said the key issues in his campaign will include sustainable job growth, cleaning up the Monoshone Creek and greater outreach by the Council office.

He is active in the Greater Germantown Business Association and promotes HIV/AIDS education through the Liberation Fellowship Community Development Corporation, of which he is chair.

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His e-mail said he would like to make Northwest Philadelphia a focal point for “green-collar” jobs in environmental technology, which would mean providing training to district residents in the necessary job skills. He also pledged that, if elected, he would open an office in the district and visit every school in the Eighth, which covers most of Northwest Philadelphia north of the Wissahickon Creek, from Nicetown to Chestnut Hiil.

Donna Reed Miller, the incumbent, announced last month that she would not seek re-election. That set up what is likely to be a crowded Democratic primary in May.

Announced candidates include Cindy Bass, a staffer for U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D., Pa.) who finished second to Miller in the 2007 primary, frequent candidate Greg Paulmier of Germantown and Verna Tyner of Tioga, a former Council aide.

One person some expected to run in the Eighth, Council aide Derek Green, announced today that he would not.

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