What are the stakes for voters in Northwest Philadelphia?

‘Street-Level Conversations’ is a discussion-based civic-engagement project in Northwest Philly. It combines facts and personal stories dealing with the issues most pertinent in our communities and seeks to inspire solutions. SLC aims to empower every member of the community to believe in the validity of their voice and the vital role they play in sharing it.

With one week left before voters head to the polls to cast their ballots for the country’s next president, NewsWorks hit the streets to find out what matters most to people in Northwest Philadelphia in this election.

Is it health care? Jobs? Education?

For Melanie Marchand, an Obama supporter from Old City, it’s women’s issues.

“Are you kidding me? Rich people in Washington, D.C. telling you whether you can do this or that with your body? They don’t know me, they don’t know my people, they don’t know middle class people” she told NewsWorks in West Oak Lane. “I’m talking about Republicans again trying to tell me what to do with my body. I’m offended by that.”

Tracy Butler of Manayunk says the country needs a change in the way it handles economic issues and, according to her, Gov. Mitt Romney is the man for the job.

“He’s all business,” she said. “I may not agree with 100 percent of his tactics but I think in the long run, it’ll benefit our financial situation.”

In Mt. Airy, Peter Javsicas says economic justice, environmental justice and transit opportunities are the biggest stakes for him in this election while others in Northwest Philadelphia are focused on finding the candidate with whom they fall most in line.

“I just wish there were a candidate who really represented me, meaning having the conservative economic issues and the liberal social policies,” said Ann Cutler in Manayunk.

What are your stakes in this election? Tell us in the comments section below.

For more information on each of the candidates, go to mittromney.com and barackobama.com.