Incumbent Kenyatta Johnson may work hard for his district constituents, but it's one he doesn't work for that has put his seat on the line: Ori Feibush, a developer who has made an issue of the stranglehold of Councilmanic privilege over his frustration in securing land he wants to develop in the district, claiming that Johnson steers too many parcels to political donors.
Equitable development is one of the key issues in the city, and Feibush has brought to light a key question: Does the market drive growth in a neighborhood, or do politics?
Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and challenger Ori Feibush faced off in a one-hour debate Thursday that touched on campaign finance, school funding, and development.
The debate, at times spirited but cordial throughout, drew a standing-room-only crowd of more than 300 people to the Greenfield School's auditorium.
Feibush, a Point Breeze real estate developer, said he's running because the Second Council District has become "a tale of two cities."
Thursday’s debate was cordial, but it underscored huge differences between the candidates and their sense of what’s needed to move the Second District forward.
BY PATRICK KERKSTRA, Philadelphia Magazine
There was more energy in the room at the start of Thursday night’s debate between Second Council District contenders Kenyatta Johnson and Ori Feibush than at any mayoral forum so far this election year. Maybe more people too. I’d guess at least 400 turned out.
Philadelphia, Pa - Ori Feibush, running for Philadelphia's 2nd Council District nomination in the Democratic primary has today committed to ten debates to be conducted throughout the district. The only question is whether or not Councilman Johnson will agree and stick to his word.
