Bass Prepares For Election Day At Final Listening Tour Stop

worked to make the most of one of her last opportunities on Wednesday to formally hear from the community at large before Election Day.

Her final stop on her "Community Listening Tour" was on Wednesday at . Bass, the Democratic nominee for the 8th Councilmanic District slot, held the tour in an effort to talk to residents about the issues most important to them.

There were two main topics that residents focused on: Licenses & Inspection issues and school problems.

Many said they were worried about the conditions of the homes in their neighborhood. Some said they were concerned about abandoned cars, while others cited a lack of responsiveness among L&I officials.

Bass said she wants to secure handheld devices for the district that various people will be able to take around and record problems that can be reported to the oft-criticized city department.

One message ran clear for Bass throughout.

"We're all going to have to collectively work on those issues together," she said at one point. "We're not going to be able to do it without you."

Bass had to end the gathering slightly early to go to a ward meeting to meet with other residents.

Before she left, though, she talked about schools. Many residents said they were worried about the state of the School District of Philadelphia.

She tied the education issue to the lack of jobs throughout the district.

"It's a problem that's rooted in an educational system that has failed so many people," Bass said.

She said she wants to meet with all of the principals throughout the 8th District to see if her office can work with them.

Bass said, meanwhile, that she was still planning on having an office in the district if she becomes councilwoman. It's probably going to be somewhere in Germantown, but a spot for that has not yet been secured.

That's partially because she hasn't won the election yet. She's running against , and Election Day is Tuesday.

Bass made a point to not criticize current Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller throughout the evening, saying she wanted to respect her.

Others at the gathering, though, said they have felt neglected recently. And they said they were giving Bass their trust.

Eugene Albert said he feels the Democrat has the community at heart. But he left her with a message toward the end.

"(I hope) we will be able to reach you some time or another," he said.

Bass said she would regularly hold meetings with residents to listen to their concerns.