PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A public forum at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday night gave nine of the candidates who hope to be the next mayor a chance to describe their vision for the city's creative and cultural economy.
To open the bipartisan forum, hosted by the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Kimmel Center, in partnership with City & State Pennsylvania, each candidate was asked to name their favorite artist to come out of Philadelphia. To end it, each was asked how the arts could help with recovery from violent crime. Throughout, eight Democrats and the race's sole Republican took questions both personal and political — from their priorities as the next mayor to their personal involvement with performing arts.
The city's ongoing violence crisis came up, along with the wage tax, and transportation.
Donald Kardon was in the audience. He said safety was not adequately addressed.
"Safety is also a fundamental factor that keeps people away from Philadelphia, keeps people away from the arts," Kardon said.
Denise Connerty from Chestnut Hill said, "I'm looking for someone who really can tackle some of the city's biggest issues and problems, including violence in the city, somebody who is able to bring various partners together."
Gabriella Rudnick said the forum helped her narrow down her choice for the May 16 primary election.
"Their presentation that shows how they were talking and interacting with … the members on the stage, I thought that was a really good way to get to know them, rather than the answers that I feel could tend to be a bit rehearsed," Rudnick said.
Participating candidates included Democrats Rebecca Rhynhart, Maria Quiñones Sánchez, Cherelle Parker, Helen Gym, Derek Green, Allan Domb, James DeLeon and Jeff Brown; and Republican David Oh. Two candidates, Amen Brown and Warren Bloom, were not present.
