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Candidates Answer North Philly Residents' Concerns
By JENNY DeHUFF, The Bulletin
Philadelphia — A handful of candidates for district attorney and one from the city controller’s race answered questions from North Philadelphia residents during a civic engagement forum at the African American United Fund (AAUF) last night.
D.A. hopefuls Brian Grady, Seth Williams and Michael Turner explained why each would be the best to assume the role of the people’s attorney.
Mr. Braxton, being a former judge, former financial adviser and former bank chairman, criticized City Controller Alan Butkovitz for failing to issue annual audits of every city department.
Although, he admitted he was uncertain whether he would be able to do it either. Ever since the city has experienced budget cuts, Mr. Braxton said staff in the Controller’s office is inadequate to handle the workload.
“We need to do samplings in each department,” he said. “Audits probably won’t be done because we have a limited pool of staff in city government. But I assure you, that is the goal.”
When asked what placed him above competitors Brett Mandel and the incumbent, Mr. Braxton pointed to the money trail.
“You’ve got to follow the dollars and look at where you’re spending the money,” said Mr. Braxton. “Our current city controller did not want to attack certain agencies because of his ‘politicism.’
“I’m unbossed and unbought,” said Mr. Braxton, “and I’m not afraid to touch the sacred cows. ‘Politicism’ puts incompetent people in office and, when that happens, then we have to spend extra money to bring these people up to par.”
D.A. candidates Dan McElhatton, Dan McCaffery and Michael Untermeyer did not attend the forum. But the three D.A. candidates who did attend agreed on some things — one being that the Philadelphia Prison System is overcrowded.
“We don’t want to overcharge prisons,” said Mr. Grady. “We need to utilize alternative sentencing methods and look at criminal justice [from] a broader standpoint.”
Mr. Williams has more than 10 years as an assistant district attorney and three years as inspector general. He said he would practice zero tolerance when it comes to crime, but would be prudent in how many offenders are sent to State Road.
“We can’t just arrest our way out of crime,” he said. “Sixty percent of our incarcerated individuals are non-violent. The cost to us is $98 a day to keep them in prison.”
Mr. Williams said he would seek “community-based justice,” including penalties like house arrest, community service and treatment programs.
“It’s not being weak. It’s being smart on crime to use our bed space in prison for those who are violent,” said Mr. Williams.
If elected, Mr. Williams would be the first black district attorney in Pennsylvania history.
Jenny DeHuff can be reached at jdehuff@thebulletin.us
D.A. hopefuls Brian Grady, Seth Williams and Michael Turner explained why each would be the best to assume the role of the people’s attorney.
Mr. Braxton, being a former judge, former financial adviser and former bank chairman, criticized City Controller Alan Butkovitz for failing to issue annual audits of every city department.
Although, he admitted he was uncertain whether he would be able to do it either. Ever since the city has experienced budget cuts, Mr. Braxton said staff in the Controller’s office is inadequate to handle the workload.
“We need to do samplings in each department,” he said. “Audits probably won’t be done because we have a limited pool of staff in city government. But I assure you, that is the goal.”
When asked what placed him above competitors Brett Mandel and the incumbent, Mr. Braxton pointed to the money trail.
“You’ve got to follow the dollars and look at where you’re spending the money,” said Mr. Braxton. “Our current city controller did not want to attack certain agencies because of his ‘politicism.’
“I’m unbossed and unbought,” said Mr. Braxton, “and I’m not afraid to touch the sacred cows. ‘Politicism’ puts incompetent people in office and, when that happens, then we have to spend extra money to bring these people up to par.”
D.A. candidates Dan McElhatton, Dan McCaffery and Michael Untermeyer did not attend the forum. But the three D.A. candidates who did attend agreed on some things — one being that the Philadelphia Prison System is overcrowded.
“We don’t want to overcharge prisons,” said Mr. Grady. “We need to utilize alternative sentencing methods and look at criminal justice [from] a broader standpoint.”
Mr. Williams has more than 10 years as an assistant district attorney and three years as inspector general. He said he would practice zero tolerance when it comes to crime, but would be prudent in how many offenders are sent to State Road.
“We can’t just arrest our way out of crime,” he said. “Sixty percent of our incarcerated individuals are non-violent. The cost to us is $98 a day to keep them in prison.”
Mr. Williams said he would seek “community-based justice,” including penalties like house arrest, community service and treatment programs.
“It’s not being weak. It’s being smart on crime to use our bed space in prison for those who are violent,” said Mr. Williams.
If elected, Mr. Williams would be the first black district attorney in Pennsylvania history.
Jenny DeHuff can be reached at jdehuff@thebulletin.us
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