Damon's Vision for the 186^th District

High quality Education for all children in the 186th District

Damon attended Harvard University, Teachers College Columbia and Howard University School of Law. As a former high school teacher and track and football coach, education has played a critical role in his life. He is committed to providing all children with the same opportunity to get a first-class education in Philadelphia's schools.

As your State Representative, he will work to increase graduation rates for students throughout the 186th District. Damon understands that this is a battle that must be fought Harrisburg. Damon will hold our representatives accountable when they make decisions regarding your child’s education. Damon will work with, not defund, community groups and non-profit groups that provide recreational and after-school activities for children in the 186th District.

Promote Job Creation

Damon is a small business owner. He will work with city, state and federal leaders to bring more jobs and businesses into the 186th District. In this economy, we must create a more sustainable, business-friendly climate. We must draw more businesses into the City and help our existing businesses expand.

We must provide tax incentives not just for big businesses, but also for small local businesses, as these are the businesses that truly shape our neighborhood and our community.

All too often, start-up, small business owners have problems with confusing rules or business laws, requiring them to waste precious resources and often limited resources. As reported by the Institute for Justice in its report No Brotherly Love for Entrepreneurs, "the mission of the city's various offices and bureaucracies appears to be to stymie the creation of new businesses wherever possible." We must give new businesses the time and space they need to grow, "instead of hitting them with an array of taxes, fees, and demands that are simply implausible."

Damon will make it a top priority help small business, to grow our tax base, and to put the unemployed in Philadelphia to work.

Source Info: Institute for Justice, No Brotherly Love for Entrepreneurs (November 2010)

Reduce Crime and Promote Clean Neighborhoods

Safer Neighborhoods are attractive neighborhoods.  The 186th District is not as safe or as clean as it should be —in too many neighborhoods within the District, people are prisoners in their houses, afraid to come out after dark. Kids can't play on their own front steps because of their parents' concern about crime. Many senior citizens are locked in the homes because they are afraid.

The need for new leadership is evident when we see neighborhoods in the 186th District that are too dirty and too unsafe.

Damon has grassroots experience as a block captain and committee-person. He will work with Harrisburg, city officials plus other community and civic groups to clean up streets and abandoned lots in the 186th District. Damon will also work with the Police Department and community groups to create an active Town Watch program in each neighborhood in the 186th District.

Create Affordable Housing

Damon has been a real estate and land use attorney in Philadelphia for 11 years. He understands the challenges in dealing with abandoned properties and vacant lots and the impact they have on our community and home values. He will use his experience to bring this issue to Harrisburg and make the process of removing blighted, abandoned properties and redeveloping vacant lots more efficient.

Damon has represented homeowners, renters and builders and understands the challenges of new development and its impact on the community. He will make it a priority to work together with contractors and neighbors to build responsible, sustainable projects that improve our neighborhoods and bring new families and small businesses to our community.

Senior Citizens are important to the future of the 186th District

Pennsylvania is fortunate to have the third highest percentage of older residents in the nation. Older adults contribute to the fabric of our communities. The issues facing older adults throughout Philadelphia and the 186th District are a priority for Damon.

Damon will champion the needs of older adults and make sure that their contributions to our neighborhoods and families are recognized.

As a State Representative, Damon will support agencies and groups like the Mayor's Commission on Aging, Philadelphia Corporation of Aging, neighborhood associations, faith-based organizations, block captains, and community development corporations to get the necessary resources to improve the quality of life for our older adults.