Inquirer Editorial: Bass best for Eighth

After years of complaints about their lack of representation on City Council, voters in Philadelphia's Eighth District have a chance to put an activist to work for them.

Actually, seven chances. That's how many Democrats are running for that seat in the May 17 primary. With no Republicans in the race, voters will be selecting their replacement for retiring Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller next month. All seven candidates have resumes chock full of community service.

Cindy Bass has been a staffer for U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D., Pa.) and for former state Sen. Allyson Schwartz, who now is the 13th District's congresswoman.

William Durham has worked for two congressmen and held a number of community and political posts.

Andrew Lofton is a supervisor with the Urban Affairs Coalition.

Greg Paulmier has focused on housing issues for decades.

Robin Tasco, a member of electricians' Local 98, has been the city's only African American female union rep.

Businessman Howard Treatman has served with several community groups.

Verna Tyner was on the staff of Council members David Cohen and Bill Greenlee.

The Eighth, which stretches from Nicetown to Chestnut Hill, will have an advocate on Council. The question is, whose experience, talents, and contacts will be most effective in helping the district attract jobs, create economic development and opportunity, and improve schools?

The clear answer there is CINDY BASS, who almost upset Miller four years ago.

Bass is poised, professional, and outspoken. She served as a community loan officer for almost a decade, has extensive on-the-ground involvement with highly praised nonprofits such as Mount Airy USA, and has a wealth of contacts from Harrisburg and Washington.

She has earned endorsements and high praise from Mayor Nutter, State Rep. Dwight Evans (D., Phila.), Fattah, and many others.

Bass plans to be a cheerleader for her district, actively recruiting businesses and jobs to her neighborhoods and the city. She's prepared to fight for better schools and to revamp a tax code that too often discourages business start-ups and expansions.

Eighth District voters should vote for  Cindy Bass.