Van Stone, Democrat for Pa State Rep 190th Legislative District Phila. Special Report: Why I Am Running For State Representative Of “The Burning Sands”

Van Stone, Democrat for Pa State Rep 190^th Legislative District Phila. Special Report: Why I Am Running For State Representative Of “The Burning Sands”

Democratic Party-endorsed G. Roni Green faces Republican Party-endorsed Wanda Logan in a February 25^th Special Election in Philadelphia’s 190th State House District that covers a very small portion of the North beginning, independent neighborhoods University City, Pine St – Market St, 52^nd St. to 59^th St., Haddington, West Philly, , West Park (Market St/Powelton Ave. – Haverford Ave.), 42^nd St. to 49^th St., Mill Creek, West Mill Creek, Cathedral Park, Carroll Park, Belmont, Wynnefield, East Parkside, Fairmont Park, East, Allegheny West and Lehigh West. And a piece of the Kelly Drive Loop that hugs both sides of the Schuylkill River unto the Upper Roxborough East Side.

Basically, because Registered Democrats make up 87% of voters in the district, (largely the West Philadelphia neighborhoods), Green is heavily favored to win the election.

But this is a Special Report for West and North Philly residents of the state rep 190^th District because most registered voters, especially Black voters, doesn’t understand how elections are run followed by… are won.

For the past 20 years, for sure, this divided and unique territory – people like me call it the endearing nickname, the Burning Sands- has had Democratic state representation leadership.

We call it overall the Burning Sands, because living in any one of the many independent neighborhoods in the territory is literately and figuratively just like life in the desert -the desert sands.

It’s extremely cold during the winter and extremely hot during the summer. Traveling across any number street is most often always treacherous, adventurous and struggling to say the least. There is no money. There are very little resources. There is walking children and adults always busy developing story after story about someone turning daydreams of being on cloud nine into dreams of being whatever positive thing they want to be.

And then, there is always breaths of fresh air in the 190^th- what sets off the on-going goodness of proud West Philly and North Philly into the Southwest, South, East and Northeast sections of my Philly town.

We the greatest big city!       

However, most recently and unfortunately, beloved Ex-state rep Movita Johnson-Harrell vacated the seat in December.

Johnson-Harrell was the second elected representative to forfeit the seat in about a year.

Former state representative Vanessa Lowery Brown resigned in December 2018.

The Philadelphia County/City Democratic Party is in need of a revival as a whole. This is especially the case when covering the 190^th District concerns and its people.

At this time, the Philadelphia County/City Republican Party sees an opportunity to take control of the 190^th District. Republicans see a Democratic candidate for the 190^th District -nominated true, but who may not be like battle-tested, like volunteer-tested within the areas of boundaries of the West Philly areas.

I have been battle-tested and extremely volunteer-tested in both the West and North- working throughout the Burning Sands and living for what seems to be like forever, in the Burning Sands.

As a professional journalist, a childcare professional (Daycare Teacher, School Volunteer, Crossing Guard, Business Empowerment Coach and Surviving Family Court/Criminal Court Legal Situations Advocate), a pastor, I share this story because it was largely through these experiences that I learned that being a giver is one of the most realistic ways to help any community under duress survive and keep you strength moving.

I have a story to tell…

As a native of Philadelphia, a Black man, a family man, I am an eye witness to the community being dictated to do the same ol’ same ol’ – loading up the car, if you have one, walking to the trolley or bus stop, if they are even there, and heading to the job. I have watched the quality of life in our city change–jobs from local, family-owned businesses and clean streets have gone. Gentrifications.

Democratic popular leaders targeted using sly ongoing discrimination tactic.

I decided to keep showing up as your friendly neighbor advocate for my city.

I humbly ask for your precious signature and your breath of fresh air vote.  Your Democrat you can trust.