PRESS RELEASE: Anthony P. Johnson announces candidacy for State Representative

Anthony P. Johnson of Juniata Park officially announced his candidacy for State Representative for the 42nd Ward & 180th District. Over 30 supporters attended the gathering where Johnson pledged to take the following action if elected as the community’s State Representative:

• Secure funding and push for neighborhood patrols.

• Address crime in the community by increasing police patrol,
creating stricter penalties for drug dealers, pedophiles,
and violent gangs.

• Provide more police/increase presence in our neighborhoods as well
as build a positive relationship between residents and the police
through Qa series of workshops and other activities.

• Provide the community with Literacy and GED programs.

• Partner with local food markets, pharmacies, and retail stores to
hire residents that support these businesses as loyal customers to
decrease unemployment and poverty.

• Obtain state/federal funding for existing quality and new grass
root after school programs that is essential to the academic and
social growth of our children.

• Re-implement extracurricular activities back into the public
schools in our communities.

• Implement effective recreation centers in the communities.

Johnson, a Human Services lead instructor in a post-secondary school in Philadelphia and founder and director of Dream Field Academy providing mentoring and educational enhancement to at-risk youth in Juniata, also stated that he will do everything humanly possible to turn the tide of government-neglected problems in the neighborhood. He told the audience, “We need to be role models to our youth and protectors of our senior citizens by showing them that we care enough to devote our time and efforts to make a difference in their lives. This isn't about politics at all--this is about ‘human caring’ at its best.”

Johnson is leading a grass-roots campaign to protest the lack of government responses to the issues of the neighborhood. “Our community is plagued by unemployment, high-school students dropping out, violence on the streets, and drug dealers intimidating the good people who want a positive quality of life here. The current politicians have brought nothing to our area. It is time for us to stand together as unified citizens and demand better for our families and future generations. I am not a politician—I am a Human Services professional who is dedicated to changing the quality of life for the people in this community.” Johnson has been the neighborhood block captain for over two years responding immediately to the problems of the neighbors by working closely with the local police department.

Johnson is disgusted over the lack of services provided for Juniata. As a resident and father, he wants his son to grow up without the worry of being a victim of violent gang crime or drive-by shootings. He explained, “Our current elected officials are politicians. They are more concerned with their needs than the community’s. I am the ‘un-politician,’ but I am a community activist. I want our residents to join together to demand the services that our community is overlooked for. We will not be divided by ethnicity or culture—we will unite together as people who want to live in peace and without fear. I will truly represent the people who live here, and together we will rebuild a neighborhood where our families can be proud to live.”

A number of community organizations have already endorsed Johnson for the upcoming election. He will be visiting every home in the community to talk about the issues that are important to them. In addition to being a community activist, he is also a Ph.D. candidate and author.

For further information, contact Anthony Johnson at (215) 744-1773 or (215) 715-0355. You can also email him at antho@earthlink.net.