by Manuel McDonnell-Smith
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Kenyatta Johnson is racing to win. But for a proven winner for his constituents, why is this election race so tough? Four years after bursting onto City Hall’s political scene as the youngest member of City Council, Kenyatta Johnson has been racing. The issues facing his district, including the rapidly developing Point Breeze and West Broad corridors have been many. In a single term, Johnson has taken on everything from crime, to CSX, coffee shops, and condos. But it’s the last item on that list that’s given him the most trouble. Enter neighborhood developer Ori Feibush, widely noted as the real estate investor fueling much of the new growth in South Philadelphia. He’s also not afraid of clashing with Johnson who he publically derided as a “poverty pimp,” whose loyalty lies with the city’s political cliques’ that have fueled his rise in power, and not with the real needs of his neighborhood constituents. In the waning days of a contentious re-election battle which should have been easy for the local-boy-done-good, Johnson talked with Urban Suburban Magazine to set the record straight on his firstterm accomplishments, what he really thinks of his political challenger, and how he’s working to ensure the gentrification does not equal extermination for longtime neighborhood residents.
URBAN SUBURBAN MAGAZINE: Gentrification has been rapidly rolling through parts of your district, literally changing neighborhoods almost overnight. Is this something long-term residents should be fearful of? KENYATTA JOHNSON: There has to be a healthy balance in regards to the development that is taking place. We definitely do not want to have a neighborhood filled with lots, abandoned houses, and blight. But we also want to make sure that we have a level of affordable, workforce housing in the area. I’m working to make sure that people do not get priced out of the neighborhood and to ensure that people can pay their mortgages plus the rising taxes that have been going up as a result of the massive development that has been taking place throughout the district. My track record shows that I’ve been specifically focused on tax relief measures and affordable housing projects to help ensure a healthy balance in our neighborhoods. URBAN SUBURBAN MAGAZINE: Feibush claims as a successful developer himself, he can best represent the District’s interests, especially when dealing with other investors and developers. Your background is in politics. Does he have a point? KENYATTA JOHNSON: The mere fact that he’s a developer running for Council shows that he’s a walking conflict. Because at the end of the day he’s going to benefit from the selling off of lots and parcels of land in the district to himself or his friends. I have a track record of working with developers on affordable and market rate housing projects. I’ve worked with individuals like Bart Blatstein, Ken Goldenberg, and Carl Dranoff. But I also want make sure that we’re also urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia 3
working on affordable housing projects with folks like Habitat for Humanity and South Philadelphia Homes so that we can ensure that people remain in their homes regardless of the amounts in their checkbook or their pocketbook. URBAN SUBURBAN MAGAZINE: Your challenger, Ori Feibush, has described you as a “Poverty Pimp.” What do you think he meant, and is it an accurate description of your political record? KENYATTA JOHNSON: For me, that’s just a reflection of his character. My primary purpose [as Councilman] has been progress and moving the 2nd Councilmatic District forward. I have a track record of getting things done. And most importantly improving the quality of life in the neighborhood, which I grew up in [Point Breeze] and in all fifteen neighborhoods that I represent. URBAN SUBURBAN MAGAZINE: In campaign stops, you refer to relying on your power of relationships to get things done. Is that critical to getting the job done for residents of your district? KENYATTA JOHNSON: I’m a former State Representative and also the first African American to represent the Second Councilmatic District. So, I have the experience, the leadership, and more importantly, the ability to get things done. Being a councilman is all about being a consensus builder and a coalition builder who is able to work with people regardless of their background and ideological positions. I have one goal, improve the quality of life in the neighborhood. So I take that same approach in Council, working with the other sixteen members to improve the quality of life for the residents of the District I represent. URBAN SUBURBAN MAGAZINE: The whole city has been watching the bitter battle between you and your opponent. But, are there some hard accomplishments that you’ve achieved in your first term we haven’t heard much about? KENYATTA JOHNSON: A lot of the time, the mainstream press does not pay attention to the good that my office has been able to do. I was able to come up with $3 Million Dollars to fund an additional 100 beds for the only women against abuse shelter in Philadelphia. I recently introduced a tax relief bill for families to be able to afford to send their children to high quality day care centers. I’ve partnered with Career Link to assist more than 300 people from my district to access training or a 4 urbansuburbanmagazine.com Philadelphia
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job. We’ve also spent more than $3 Million Dollars to revitalize the playgrounds in the district. URBAN SUBURBAN MAGAZINE: You speak most passionately on community development projects. Why? KENYATTA JOHNSON: Just being born and raised in South Philadelphia, I remember watching my friends being murdered and watching my friends going to jail. I was able to make a 360 in my life by receiving support from different mentors in the neighborhood, and the prayers of my grandmother, when I might have made poor choices. It was the support of the neighborhood that ultimately helped me to get on the right path and to move forward. URBAN SUBURBAN MAGAZINE: Election Day is right around the corner, what should your council residents know about you? KENYATTA JOHNSON: My overall goal is to give back to the neighborhood that helped me to become the person who I am today. And to move the 2nd Councilmatic District forward by ensuring that they have voice at the table in City Council. I want to be that someone who is fighting on their behalf and that someone who is advocating on behalf of our young people.
Provide greater to access community services
Eliminate Blight and Build more houses
Provide Access to affordable housing
Luxury Houses
Improve Community Access to Healthcare
Build More Shops
Maintain jobs for area residents
partially fund schools
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