State Rep. Pat Gallagher (D-173rd dist.) and Republican challenger Bill Griffin spoke at Monday’s East Torresdale Civic Association meeting, sparring over District Attorney Larry Krasner and the Educational Improvement Tax Credit.
Griffin spoke first. He is a Juniata native and graduate of North Catholic. He’s married with three children and seven grandchildren, five of whom attend St. Katherine of Siena.
He’s spent 35 years in education and is a retired principal who worked at John Hancock and Gen. J. Harry LaBrum at the same time. He described the School District of Philadelphia as a “mess,” adding that he’s attended two Board of Education meetings to advocate for air conditioning in classrooms.
“Children need to come first,” he said.
Griffin said his campaign has knocked on more than 21,000 doors. He’s heard complaints about carjackings, rats, trash, prostitution, drugs, car thefts, noise, underage drinking, illegal parking and stolen catalytic converters.
“I’m hearing these stories all the time,” he said.
If elected, Griffin said he will help constituents, even on city issues such as rats.
“I will make sure that you are heard,” he said.
Griffin said Democrats have controlled the 173rd Legislative District for 36 years.
“Maybe it’s time for some new ideas,” he said.
Griffin described the Educational Improvement Tax Credit as very successful, criticizing Democratic-backed House Bill 2632, which critics say would cut credits for scholarship organizations, reduce funding for scholarships, require onerous new regulations on private schools, require the Auditor General to conduct audits of private schools, but not public schools, and impose a tax on scholarship organizations.
Griffin accused Gallagher of putting “party over families of Northeast Philadelphia” by not supporting Pat Dugan over Larry Krasner in last year’s general election.
“Krasner is not good for the city,” Griffin said.
Gallagher, who has been endorsed by FOP Lodge 5, said it is an “absolute lie” that he did not support Dugan in the general election.
“I donated money. I worked doors,” he said.
Gallagher is a member of the 65th Ward Democratic Committee.
“We backed Pat Dugan,” he said.
In addition, Gallagher said he voted for a bill to allow for a special prosecutor to handle criminal cases that take place near SEPTA operations.
As for the EITC, Gallagher said he voted for a bill that would increase income limits and the amount families can receive in scholarships and expand the program to include children up to age 2 in pre-K programs, telling Griffin, “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Gallagher said the bill, which has not been taken up by the Republican-controlled Senate, would provide accountability to root out waste, fraud and abuse.
“We’re trying to make the program better. We’re trying to make the program more efficient,” he said.
Gallagher, who grew up in Frankford, attended St. Martin of Tours, Cardinal Dougherty and Temple. He was chief of staff for Mike Driscoll when he represented the 173rd district. He is in his second term in the House and lives in Bakers Bay.
He accused Republicans of underfunding public education, but said recent investments have helped increase test scores, attendance and morale in the School District of Philadelphia.
In office, Gallagher said he has helped secure money for Holy Family, St. Hubert and Father Judge, lunch for students and mental health assistance for police officers and firefighters.
In response to a question about potential data centers, Gallagher said he wants to preserve clean water and prevent utility costs rising among consumers.
In other news from the Oct. 12 meeting:
• Dave Wyszynski, Gallagher’s district office director, said the office will host prostate cancer screenings on Nov. 13 and mammograms on Nov. 16 at the office, 8760 Frankford Ave. To make an appointment, call 215-281-3414.
• Gianni Matteo, an aide to state Sen. Joe Picozzi, said Picozzi has opened a second office at 8400 Bustleton Ave., Suite 301. Matteo said Picozzi will continue his commercial corridor tour, with the city Department of Commerce, at Bell’s Corner. For more information, visit senatorpicozzi.com
• ETCA member Dan Coonan gave an update on a recent meeting at Holy Family. The university is refurbishing a field at Torresdale Playground, Frankford and Aubrey avenues, for use by its softball team. There will be no lights, as games and practices will be during the day. Coonan noted that Holy Family wanted to build fields at Fluehr Park, but that ETCA “shot that down.” Neighbors complained they did not know about the field at Torresdale Playground, with Holy Family explaining that it is simply improving an existing field rather than building new ones, like it hoped to do at Fluehr Park. Holy Family has been working with members of the Northeast Civic Community Alliance.
“We never heard of them,” one ETCA member complained.
ETCA president Joe Carson attended the meeting.
“We haven’t had the last word on this topic,” he said.
• East Torresdale Civic Association will meet on Monday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. at All Saints’ Torresdale Episcopal Church, 9601 Frankford Ave. There will be a guest speaker from TreePhilly. ••
