Van Stone Philadelphia Campaign Platform In Brief For Pa State Rep 190th District Election Primary 2020

"Van Stone," Philadelphia

 

List of Neighborhoods of the Pennsylvania State Representative 190th
District

Strawberry Mansion, East Park, Westpark, Mill Creek, Allegheny West, West Parkside, East Parkside, Belmont, Belmont/Girard Avenue, Brewerytown, Wynnefield, Wynnefield Heights, Overbrook, Mantua, Powelton Villiage, Cathedral Park, Carroll Park, Fairmount, Haddington, Dunlap, Haverford North, Sharswood, Walnut Hill,

 CANDIDATE PLATFORM STATEMENT

Samuel Van Stone Downing, Community-Organizer-Activist, Political Analyst, Block Captain, Editor and Publisher, News Journalist-Poet, Professional Storyteller and Consultant

Exploratory Candidate for Pennsylvania State Legislator 190^th District Serving West/North Philadelphia-Area

Endorsed by: None have endorsed at this time

Registered Political Party: Registered Democrat (Independent Democrat); Formerly Registered Independent

Disclosure: Nothing further about the candidate’s 
disclosure about his political exploratory 

Political Leadership Roles in the 190^th State Rep. District of Philadelphia-Area

Cathedral Park Association Community Affairs Rep. Catherine Minnis 1985-2019

Chief Community Action Volunteer Affiliate, State Rep. Mike Horsey 1997-2004

West Philadelphia Coalition of Neighborhoods and Businesses Empowerment Zone Rep. 1994-1998

Political Leadership Roles in the 195^th State Rep. District of Philadelphia-Area

Chief Community Action Volunteer Affiliate, Committee-person John A. Williams 2014-2019

Chief Community Action Volunteer Affiliate, Judge Jimmie Moore 2010-2011

Campaign Manager/Campaign Advisor Warren Bloom for City Commissioner 2007

Political Leadership Roles in the 188^th State Rep. District of Philadelphia-Area

Chief Community Action Volunteer Affiliate, Friends of Spruce Hill/West Park1997-2019

Political Leadership Roles in the 186^th State Rep. District of Philadelphia-Area

Chief Community Action Volunteer Affiliate, State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson 2010-2012

Political Leadership Roles in Candidate Races Citywide of Philadelphia-Area

Chief Community Action Volunteer Affiliate, Committee-person Judge Jimmie Moore 2014-2015  

Chief Community Action Volunteer Affiliate, District Attorney Seth Williams, 2010-2011

Chief Community Action Volunteer Affiliate, Court of Common Pleas Judge Adam Beloff 2009-2010

Chief Community Action Volunteer Affiliate, Municipal Court Judge Dawn A Segal 2009-2010

Constitution Party Philadelphia Regional Rep. Affiliation 2007-2008

Campaign Manager/Campaign Advisor Kerry Foster for City Mayor 2007-2008 

Green Party Philadelphia Secretary Regional Rep Affiliation 2006-2007

Political Leadership Roles in the Borough of Yeadon-Area

Chief of Human Affairs, Children Ed, Health and Immigration Operations, Community Safety Office of Mayor of Yeadon, Rohan Hepkins 2015-2018

Non-Political Leadership Roles in the 190^th District of Philadelphia-Area

Van Stone Productions Foundation Non-Profit Founder/President Board Member 1980-2019  
Friends of Parkside Neighborhood Association Non-Profit Group Chair Affairs Committee 1989-2019

Friends of Cathedral Park Non-Profit Group Chair Affairs Committee 1990-2019 

Van Stone Productions Foundation Town Watch and 52^nd Street Rangers Safety Committee 2007-2019

Lee Cultural Center and Playground Advisory Council Non-Profit Group Pres. Advisory 2003-2017

Friends of Millcreek Non-Profit Group Chair Affairs Committee 1999-2016     

Friends of Haddington Playground Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Services Committee 1995-2015

Friends of Carroll Park Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Services Committee 1995-2015

Friends of Lee Cultural Center and Playground Non-Profit Group Chair Affairs Committee 1992-2007

Friends of Walnut Hill Neighborhood Association Non-Profit Group Chair Affairs Committee 1980-2004  

Lee Playground Community Organization Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Committee 1979-2002

West Park Advisory Council Non-Profit Group Chair Affairs Committee 1992-2001

Friends of Paul Robeson House Non-Profit Group Chair Affairs Committee 1995-2000

Friends of James Wright Recreation Center Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Committee 1980-2000

Friends of George Institute Branch of Free Library of Philadelphia Chair Reading Committee 1986-1999

Friends of Belmont Neighborhood Improvement Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Committee 1981-1999

Friends of Whitby Ave and Southwest Philly Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Committee 1993-1997

Non-Political Leadership Roles in the 195^th District

Friends of the Mander Playground and Dell East Non-Profit Group Chair Affairs Committee 2002-2019

Friends of Blaine Elementary School/Van Stone Productions Non-Profit Group Youth Services 2013-2018

Non-Political Leadership Roles in the 188^th District

Malcom X Park/Van Stone Productions Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Services Committee 1983-2019

Friends of Kingsessing Playground/Van Stone Productions Non-Profit Group Youth Services 1993-2019

Friends of Cedar Park/Van Stone Productions Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Services 1986-2017

Friends of Clark Park/Van Stone Productions Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Services 2002-2014

Non-Political Leadership Roles in the 186^th District

Friends of Vare Recreation Center/Van Stone Productions Non-Profit Chair Youth Services 1999-2015

Friends of Alexander Wilson School/Van Stone Productions Org Chair Youth Services 2009-2011  

Friends of 48^th and Woodland Avenue Playground/Van Stone Org. Chair Youth Services 1994-2010

Friends of Tasker Homes Projects/Van Stone Productions Non-Profit Chair Youth Services 1994-2002

Non-Political Leadership Roles in the Community Citywide of Philadelphia-Area

Foster Care Advocate Assembly of Foster Care Parents and Foster Children – Appointed Commenter 2000-2019

LGTBQ Youth Advocate Assembly of Scholars and Poets – Appointed Commenter 1981-2019

Court Fighter Advocate Assembly of Court Abuse Victims and Know Your Rights Leaders – Appointed Commenter 2004-2019 

Youth Health and Safety, Anti-Gang and End Gun Violence Advocate Assembly of Scholars and Community Activist – Appointed Commenter 1980-2019

Public Safety Advocate Assembly of Safety Officers and Community Leaders – Appointed Commenter 2004-2019

Black Studies/Black Indians Advocate Assembly of Scholars and Poets – Appointed Commenter 1981-2019

Ex-offenders Association Advocate Assembly of Ex-offenders and Community Leaders – Appointed Commenter 2003-2018

American Muslim Advocate Assembly of Scholars and Poets – Appointed Commenter 1981-2015

Philadelphia Police Clergy Official Spokesperson Assembly of Clergy – Appointed Commenter 2006-2012

State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson Leadership Award Recipient 2011

Lucien Blackwell Leadership Award Recipient 2010                        

Philadelphia School District Huey Elementary Assembly of Scholars and Poets - Appointed Commenter 2005-2009

Thoughts of the Black Man Advocate Assembly of Scholars and Poets – Appointed President/Commenter 2004-2007

Meeting Activities in the 190^th District

Community Services Voter Registration; Food Cupboard; Senior Support; Area Beautification; Economic Development Committee – President 1980-2019

Youth Services Education; Performing Arts; Sports; Summer Camp Committee – President 1980-2019

Public Health Mental Health and Wellness Committee – President 1983-2019

Public Safety Town Watch Committee – Chair Board Member 1983-2018

Meeting Activities in the 195^th District

Community Services Voter Registration; Food Cupboard; Senior Support; Area Beatification; Economic Development Committee – President 1980-2019

Youth Services Education; Performing Arts; Sports; Summer Camp Committee – President 1980-2019

Public Safety Block Watch Committee – Chair Board Member 2014-2018

Public Health Mental Health and Wellness Committee – President 1983-2018

Meeting Activities in the 188^th District

Community Services: Voter Registration Committee; Food Cupboard Committee; Senior Support Committee; Area Beatification Committee; Economic Development Committee – President 1980-2019

Public Health: Mental Health and Wellness Committee – President 1983-2019

Youth Services: Education Committee; Performing Arts Committee; Sports Committee; Summer Camp Committee – President 1980-2017

Public Safety: Town Watch Committee – Chair Board Member 1985-2010

Biography

Occupation: Child Care Teacher/Crossing Guard/Ground Maintenance Worker/News-Journalist-Commentator/Family-Counseling-Consultant-Entrepreneur  

Education: University City High School, 1980 Cheyney University 1980-1981, Community College 1990-1991, Childcare Paraprofessional Courses and Trainings, 1981-2019

I, Samuel Van Stone Downing, (my friends, my neighbors, my chapel, fire and police associates, and my affiliates working in the home and school businesses, and my comic strip, storywriter, and creative media buddies all know me affectionately as, Van Stone), am honored to become a participant who would undergo exploratory questioning so that the Philadelphia residents would choose the person who qualify to win the candidacy of Pennsylvania state legislator serving the 190^th District Philadelphia-Area.

I have been resident in this city for 56 years. I am a Native American. I am of the Native American Tribe, Lenni Lenape Indians, also known as the Delaware Indian. I am a modern day Black American Indian (or Black Indian), born in North Philadelphia but raised in West Philadelphia since the age of 2. If elected, I will be the first Black American Indian Pennsylvania state legislator serving Philadelphia, Pennsylvanians. I have previously served as a special volunteer worker on the board of well-established citywide community organizations, both at the local and state level. My basic volunteer work includes, but are not limited to, Community Services, Public Health, Youth Services and Public Safety.  Being a specialist leads me into another important introduction. I am the founder of the Van Stone Productions (VSP) Foundation 501c3 organization and have served as its founder and president ever since 1980.

My goal, if elected as the Pennsylvania state legislator of the 190^th District, is to offer perspectives from the next generation who will inherit the work of the qualified specialist. I will ensure that the community activist will receive the award of Pennsylvania state legislature appropriated funds sufficient to complete any original plan that will make a difference in our community. In doing so, in the Pennsylvania House of Representative 190^th District, I will leverage the Pennsylvania state legislator’s key resources. If elected I will push for the Pennsylvania state legislature to adopt a measure providing the City of Philadelphia with funds for the volunteer specialist working childcare and public safety duties such as proving community counseling work, working in daycare centers and public schools, patrolling as well as cleaning and repairing streets, city blocks and playgrounds for the use of the poor of the city. In addition, I will push for Pennsylvania state legislature to adopt a measure providing the City of Philadelphia with funds for free legal aid for family court custody issues and ex-offender paid volunteer community services work for the use of the poor of the city. And I will appeal to the Pennsylvania legislature, asking permission and for assistance to adopt a bill authorizing the Pennsylvania state legislator of the 190^th District to have increased funds for building a new community spirit of relief providing Reparations of monies to all Black American families be they children, adults or seniors. I will share the effectiveness of experience and fresh ideas to optimize the 190^th District’s neighborhoods’ growth potential. This state of things in Philadelphia, especially speaking about Philadelphia’s 190^th Pennsylvania state legislators 190^th District can be tolerated no longer.  Either the service of the city its areas by district and Ward must be abandoned, or we, the politicians, the registered voters must conform with the improved views and methods of modern times.

During my term, I will also assign the role of Gentrification Reversal Committee Liaison, Reparations Potential Liaison Committee (putting funds into the hands of Black Americans), Home Preservation and Community Preservation Liaison Committee, Judicial Family Court Complaints Committee Liaison, Municipal Court Reforms Committee Liaison, Foster Care Parents Support Committee Liaison, Ex-Offender Aide Committee Liaison, as well as Youth Employment and Better Health Committee Liaison, Childcare and School Public Safety Professional Salary Study Committee Liaison and Public Safety Patrol Committee Liaison which shall provide me the opportunity to guide the direction of the North, West and Southwest Philadelphia’s newer social, safe and financial presence. I will launch studies for mandatory wage increase for childcare paraprofessionals such as all paid staff in daycare, teachers’ aides and teacher’s assistants, crossing guards and foster parents alike. From my point of view paraprofessionals working directly with children, regardless if they have at least 2 years of college credits, certificate trainings or not, are grossly paid too low. I will launch studies for ending required licenses to becoming a business barber and other trades working with hair. This venture will undoubtedly yield massive dividends for not only the residents of the 190^th district but our residents citywide.

I will launch community resource centers in space any school may be able to spare as long as the school principal has agreed for their school to be adopted for such purposes. This venture will undoubtedly yield quick support to families in need of communication, arbitration, extracurricular-actuation, and consolidation making a difference. Going forward as a new style of community activist, I will increasingly communicate through these powerful programs as they will provide unique avenues to disseminate the residents of the 190^th District message.

I have a strong interest in urgent care.

This past year, I helped plan and direct a Youth Hub course for unemployed and underemployed youth and children activities. The theme of the hub is arts and education, employment support and guidance and care support for Philadelphia youth. I also helped plan and direct an emergency smoking cessation service and family prevention program for teens and adults in Philadelphia. Cessation of nicotine, tobacco, opioid and limiting exposure to secondhand smoke will be the targets.  I plan to expand a Block Captain course for already in progress for adults to improve neighborhoods that are suffering the most.  These courses were extremely successful and provided an invaluable opportunity for our neighbors to get hands-on, practical experience with counseling procedures, youth services education and safer and cleaner neighborhoods.

Recently, I proposed a concept centered around the 46^th and Market Street Building, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA. for the residents of both Westpark and Mill Creek.  A new Community Liaison Coordinator Task Force-Group could be implemented to follow in the footsteps Paul Busti, Isaac Holden, John A. Lee, as well as Thomas Kirkbride had done.  These 4 past founders and builders of a better Philadelphia community made a difference. I can only hope to do the same.    

I see urgent care as a means by which children, youth and adults can diversify and protect themselves from major swings in gentrification, ignoring Reparations, ruining property values, family court custody battles, foster care and DHS crisis, criminal justice reforms, youth unemployment, youth health, daycare worker salary and crossing guard salary, crime levels that could have potentially serious negative impacts on children, parents, teachers, and the Black community.

In my spare time I have a family with both biological and foster kids, publish a 190 thousand a day readership and viewer online newspapers, magazines, blogs and Facebook pages, teach youth artwork class and comic strip writing, promote dance and fitness, and enjoy reading, music, and tennis. I will take the opportunity to serve residents of the 190^th Legislative District as a very serious endeavor, and if elected, I will strive to make residential and business communities better for the school student, home owner and renter, job seeker and retired neighbor, family man and woman, and all our hopeful Philadelphians. This is my exploratory candidacy for Pennsylvania state legislator serving the 190^th District. Thanks for your consideration.