Two weeks before election, Councilman Darrell Clarke sponsored 14 bills for vote to City Council. The content, quantity and timing of these bills are an example of what needs to be changed in the 5th Councilmatic District.

The 5th District, and Philadelphia entirely, has been plagued by gun crime for years, with 2006 breaking records and 2007 on pace to do the same. Councilman Clarke’s late to the game attempt to alleviate the crime in his District is insulting to his constituents. First, putting forth crime legislation two weeks before election when crime has been increasing for years shows he is more concerned about image for election. Second, the majority of the legislation is to track law abiding citizens. How many killers do you know that are going to buy ammunition that can be traced back to them? They will continue to buy it on the black market and make the innocent suffer. Next, the legislation he is proposing is currently illegal due to State laws. Of the crime bills he has sponsored, all are unusable and most have been sitting idle for over 2 years! What has he been doing to solve the crime in our City? Finally, he says the plan is to “sue the State”. Philadelphia has tried this several times already and lost every time. This is time and money being obviously wasted on a publicity stunt while nothing constructive is being done.

Philadelphia needs and deserves a Councilman that doesn’t try to haphazardly solve the City’s problems two weeks before Election Day. We need a Councilman that efficiently solves Philadelphia’s problems every day of the year.

My name is John Longacre and that is my promise to you.

John Longacre
Candidate for 5th Councilmatic District
http://www.longacre07.com

Read more of the paper for the full article.

Fishtown Star
4/26/2007
Profiling the Incumbent
By Brian Rademaeker

"In Francisville, business-savy candidate John Longacre is flashing brainpower, proposing detailed technical solutions to problems plaguing the district."

"In Strawberry Mansion, tree-planting community activist Haile Johnston has brought plenty of heart to the race"

John Longacre was at the Northwood Civic Association along with the other candidates.

Longacre, a Mayfair native who lives in Fairmount, is dismayed by the city’s reputation as "Killadelphia."
"How’s that for the business environment?" he asked, adding that he thinks the state should allow Philadelphia to make its own gun laws.
Active in civic associations and community development corporations, he favors lowering the wage tax and eliminating the business privilege tax to create jobs.
As he knocks on doors in Northwood, he senses a disconnect between the neighborhood and Clarke’s office. He said many neighbors tell him they call the office of Councilman Dan Savage (D-7th dist.) for service.
"I will engage Northwood," Longacre said.
In his office, he would implement a "rapid response" technique to build a good constituent-service operation.
"Your phone call will be returned in one hour," he promised.

http://www.longacre07.com

This is why we need to mobilize and get out the vote for John Longacre. The 5th District has many many development issues as well as social issues. We need someone with a history of working with residents and smart development.

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http://www.longacre07.com

Libertarian Party Announces Endorsement of John Longacre Philadelphia, PA.

Libertarian Party Supports John Longacre

At its most recent meeting, the Libertarian Party of Philadelphia voted to support John Longacre, who is running for the Fifth Council District, in the Democratic Primary.

The Libertarian Party has chosen to support John because he is pro business and growth policies. More than anything, Philadelphia needs to bring Business Back and to place out a welcome mat to business. The current environment of high business taxes and bureaucratic red tape makes our city singularly unattractive for businesses. In question and answer with members at the meeting John also demonstrated that he has respect for individual rights and personal freedoms.

Members of the Libertarian Party, although unable to vote in the Primary, are encouraged to volunteer for John's campaign.

The Libertarian Party will be holding a fundraiser and nominating convention on May 31.

http://www.longacre07.com