One Last Look at the Eighth District Candidates

Primary Election Day is upon us, and we’ve gathered up everything you need to know before heading out to the polls to vote.

For a run-down of all of the elections, and where and when to vote, check out the comprehensive list .

Most significantly, we’ve gathered together information on all seven candidates in the 8th District City Council race. The candidates April 27, at the First Presbyterian Church of Germantown, in an evening that did not sway many in attendance, but did solidify where the seven stood on .

On taking control of the School District of Philadelphia, five of the seven candidates stated that they approved, while Verna Tyner and Andrew Lofton said that they would rather see Philadelphia get their financial situation under control before taking on the School District.

The seven democrats found common ground on many issues, including the need for more community involvement by the new council member.

No matter the outcome of the primary election, there will be a new council member, as current councilwoman for the 8th District, Donna Reed Miller, announced in January that she .

As for her possible replacements, we have profiled each of them, and heard what they had to say on improving Chestnut Hill.

Cindy Bass

“It’s really always been, for me, about service.”

Cindy Bass has received a number of prominent endorsements, including Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams and former mayor and governor Ed Rendell. She has set herself apart from other candidates by saying she would not support term limits for council members, and she would not pledge, in advance, to vote against a candidate for Council President who had taken a DROP payment, citing that she wanted to keep her options open.

Read a full on Bass, or watch a of her discussing how she would improve Chestnut Hill.

Bill Durham

“It’s going to take good politics to change things around.”

Bill Durham brings a military background to the table, citing 17 years in the Navy and Marine Corps as part of his experience. He wants to provide more funding in the 8th District for quality of life matters, including libraries and recreation centers. Durham also said he would assess vacant properties and put together a summit to address them in his first 120 days as a councilman if he gets elected.

Read a full on Durham, or watch a of him discussing how he would improve Chestnut Hill.

Andrew Lofton

“I decided to run in order to make sure and to ensure that the community had a voice.”

Andrew Lofton was born in Chestnut Hill and graduated from Germantown High School. He has worked with the Urban Affairs Coalition and St. Luke’s Recreational Ministry. Lofton said he would like to pair the schools with afterschool programs at recreation centers and Boys and Girls Clubs to give students in the district more structure. He also wants to save the city money by streamlining some positions in the Sheriff’s and Commissioner’s offices.

Read a full on Lofton, or watch a of him discussing how he would improve Chestnut Hill.

Greg Paulmier

“I want to be the example.”

Greg Paulmier started out as a Democratic committeeperson, which piqued his interest in rehabbing abandoned houses in his neighborhood. Eventually, his interest turned into founding the Northwest Philadelphia chapter of Habitat for Humanity. He said he would like to see less funding go to big companies and sports teams in Philadelphia and see the money go instead to hiring residents to rehab blighted homes and buildings. Paulmier has received the endorsement of Neighborhood Networks and the Chestnut Hill Residents Association.

Read a full on Paulmier, or watch a of him discussing how he would improve Chestnut Hill.

Robin Tasco

“The main job is constituent service, someone who is going to advocate on your behalf.”

Robin Tasco points to her time as a certified electrician, being a woman in a male-dominated industry, for giving her strength. She has worked as a business agent in the building trades, which included community outreach. Tasco said she would like to see funding taken from prisons and given instead to funding the schools. She added that she is in favor of seeing the schools under control of the city.

Read a full on Tasco, or watch a of her discussing how she would improve Chestnut Hill.

Howard Treatman

“This city has so much potential and the potential exists almost despite the actions of our government rather than because of the actions of our government.”

Treatman is bringing his experience as a lawyer and a real estate developer to the table and said that his experience with investment could be a valuable asset to Council. Treatman also said that he would look at how efficiently city services are provided to save money, and work to modernize those services. Treatman has received endorsements from the Wister Neighborhood Advisory Council.

Read a full on Treatman, or watch a of him discussing how he would improve Chestnut Hill.

Verna Tyner

“What this council district needs, at this moment is someone to be able to hit the ground running.”

Verna Tyner is no stranger to City Council. She has worked for three councilmen in the past, including 16 years as Chief of Staff for Councilman Cohen. Tyner said she wants to bring creative ideas to the table, including holding a developers tour to the 8th District to get real estate developers interested in buying and renovating blighted properties. Tyner has received endorsements from current 8th District Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, State Senator Shirley Kitchen, the 9th Ward Democratic Committee, and former mayor John Street.

Read a full on Tyner, or watch a of her discussing how she would improve Chestnut Hill.