“The Economic Recession Did It.”

Mr. Mayor, so you think “we all need to get with the program because we are facing the worst economic recession since the Great Depression and there is no money?”

Sir, Philadelphians elected you to be a leader. Philadelphians chose you as mayor to lead our great city in a new direction which includes integrity and accountability. Unfortunately, Mr. Mayor instead of being a leader--you continue to pass the buck. You continue to astonish with being aloof to provide some of the most basic needs to the citizens of Philadelphia. Are you going to continue to blame the economic recession on every failure that you’ve accomplished?

I believe what SEPTA did by going on strike at 3:00am was “horrifically” wrong to its valued customers that rely upon the services they provide. But this transit strike was looming since the summer and with respect to SEPTA’s bus drivers, operators, customer service representatives and mechanics; they too have families to provide for. They decided not to strike during the summer months because of the economic recession and with the promise that their concerns of a better contract would be addressed in the near future. And yet, Mr. Mayor other than getting the aforementioned to postpone the strike until the Philadelphia Phillies could play all their home games during the World Series without disruption of public transportation, you and the SEPTA management did little or nothing to resolve the impending predicament that Philadelphians are currently facing and your response to the crisis? “We all need to get with the program because we are facing the worst economic recession since the Great Depression and there is no money?”

Conversely, in my humble opinion, Mr. Mayor, the city of Philadelphia and its citizens can no longer afford to tolerate your brand of leadership. We have endured from you threats of closing public libraries, public swimming pools, and the laying off of police and firefighters. You were however, successful in closing many of the after school programs in the city and although you claimed to reduce political corruption in the city, it continues to flourish instead.

Your leadership, integrity and administration have been absolutely dismissal since you’ve assumed office of the Mayor of Philadelphia. Instead of being accountable and effectively addressing the dilemmas’ that plague our great city, you present to Philadelphia the “criminal” and say the economic recession did it, and that is why you’ve achieved so little during your first-term.

Philadelphia can no longer afford you. Philadelphians can no longer afford you, Mr. Mayor.





Best Regards,


Anthony P. Johnson,
Candidate for State Representative for 42nd Ward & 180th District
647 East Raymond Street, Philadelphia, PA 19120
215) 744-1773 (215) 715-0355
antho@earthlink.net