The 2019 primary election is approaching fast, and this week, West Philly residents have a chance to hear from many candidates for City Council at a community forum. The City Council Candidate Forum will take place Thursday, April 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Enterprise Center (4548 Market St.) and will feature 3rd District and at-large candidates.

So far the following candidates have confirmed their participation in the event:

• 3rd District candidates: Jamie Gauthier

• At-large candidates: Adrian Rivera-Reyes, Deja Lynn Alvarez, Helen Gym, Ogbanna Paul Haggins, Fernando Trevino, Eryn Santamoor, Beth Finn, Erika Almiron, Vinny Black, Mark Ross, Councilman Derek Green.  Continue Reading

The seven candidates running for District Attorney are scheduled to attend a forum in West Parkside on Thursday (March 16) from 9-11 a.m.

Candidates Teresa Carr Deni, Tariq El-Shabazz, Beth Grossman, Joe Khan, Lawrence Krasner, Rich Negrin, and Michael Untermeyer will discuss issues ranging from mass incarceration to police oversight at the Philadelphia Business and Technology Center (5070 Parkside Ave). The Business Association of West Parkside is sponsoring the forum.

Craig Ey, Editor-in-Chief of the Philadelphia Business Journal, will moderate the forum. This will be the first official event with all seven candidates present. Attendees will also have the chance to ask specific questions.  Continue Reading

The public is invited this Thursday (Feb. 4), at 7:30 p.m., to an open forum where democratic candidates for U.S. Representative, 2nd Congressional District, will speak and answer your questions. The forum is organized by the 27th Ward Democrats.

The following candidates will participate in the event:

– Chaka Fattah, Incumbent
– Dwight Evans, Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 203rd District
– Brian Gordon, Township Commissioner, Lower Merion
– Daniel Muroff, Democratic Ward Leader, 9th Ward
– Brian Sims, Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 182nd District

State Senator Vincent Hughes, 7th District, will also take part in the event.

The discussion is expected to be lively, so everyone is encouraged to attend.

Rosenberger Hall is located in Clark Park (43rd St. near Woodland).

State Sen. Anthony H. Williams is hosting a discussion this Saturday on the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania, as the Pennsylvania General Assembly considers legislation to legalize medical cannabis. The free public forum, called “The Great Marijuana Debate,” will take place at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law (see details below).

Some of the pros of legalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania to be discussed at tomorrow’s forum are: how potential revenue from a tax on legal marijuana would help Pennsylvania increase its funding of public education; impact the state’s pension problem; and the possibility of a multi-million dollar recurring revenue source.

The following officials from business, education, government, religion, and medicine are scheduled to participate in the forum, including:

• Derek Rosenzweig, Philly NORML and co-founder of Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana
• Yesha Ministries Bishop J. Darrell Robinson
• George Forsythe, former Maryland State Policeman and a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, or LEAP
• Philadelphia City Councilman Jim Kenney
• Dr. Jahan Marcu, Americans for Safe Access Multidisciplinary Scientific Advisory Board and the 2012 “Cannabis Researcher of the Year”
• Kirsten Heine, Assistant Philadelphia District Attorney
• Capt. Thomas Davidson, Philly Police Department’s Narcotics Field Unit
• Rachelle Yeung, Esq., Marijuana Policy Project

Although this is a free event, tickets are required for admission. RSVP requests can be made at 215-492-2980.

WHO: Sen. Anthony H. Williams, advocates and opponents of marijuana legalization
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. (registration), 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (forum), Saturday, June 14
WHERE: Fitts Auditorium, University of Pennsylvania Law School, 3501 Sansom St., Philadelphia

As budget cuts slash deeper and deeper into the city’s public schools, teachers and principals need to get more creative in looking for resources to help students. Parents and community residents are a great place to start.

That’s why parents and community members are invited to the Henry C. Lea School (47th and Locust) on Monday for a community forum hosted by principal Sonya Harrison. The roundtable discussion will focus on the question, “How can all adults work together to improve student success at the Lea School?”

Two sessions of the forum will be held Monday. The first is 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and breakfast will be provided. The later session runs from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and dinner and homework help are provided.

RSVP is required. To register, go to the office at the Lea School or call 215-898-1112 or email PPCE@gse.upenn.edu.

Head over to the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools website for more Lea-related news.

Neighbors, community leaders and experts are getting together this afternoon (at 4 p.m.) to discuss the future of University City High School that is slated for closure at the end of the 2013 school year along with 22 other Philadelphia schools. The school opened in 1973.

Strategies for the use of the building after the closure will also be discussed at the forum that will take place at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 3500 Baring St. The panelists include:

Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell

Algernong Allen, Baltimore Avenue Business Association

DeWayne Drummond, Mantua Civic Association

George Poulin, Powelton Village Civic Association

Emily Dowdall, Pew Charitable Trusts

Allan Domb, President Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors

The discussion will be moderated by Solomon Jones of AxisPhilly and filmed by NBC 10.

To register please go to uchigh.eventbrite.com/ (registration closes at 3 p.m.)