The Short Answer: Loves Second Chances

There’s a lot of reporting on the 2015 mayoral race. Some of it is good, even admirable. Most of it is very long, and you know…. that’s not what we do here at Metro.

Welcome to Week 8 of The Short Answer.

Each week, we ask the mayoral candidates a question. Some will deal with personality, others policy. We give them 50 words to answer it, and yes, we do chop it down if we have to.

Want to ask the candidates something? Send it to dan.kelley@metro.us

This week’s question:

There has been a lot of talk about the plight of ex-offenders in Philadelphia. Talk about the importance second chances have had in Yk’s question:

“After failing the 5th grade, I received a 2nd chance – my mother through heroic efforts was able to have me enrolled in the Milton Hershey School, a boarding school for disadvantage children. It was there that I received access to a quality education. That 2nd chance changed my – life around.” Doug Oliver

“I nearly lost reelection in 2011 after I voted to end the DROP program. The chance to serve again taught me that doing the right thing is always the correct choice even when it’s politically difficult.” Jim Kenney

“Philly is a second chance city. Over 300,000Philadelphians are ex-offenders who need a way to reconnect with the economy or we will all pay later. I try to lead by example. About a third of my staff in the legislative and campaign offices is made up of hardworking, formerly convicted people.” State Sen. Tony Williams

“As a Judge, I was constantly struck by how close I came to being in a courtroom for all the wrong reasons. I struggled in school, and no one thought I’d ever amount to much. Without support from my community to turn my life around, I wouldn’t be here today.” – Nelson Diaz

“The late Mayor Rizzo fired me from the Redevelopment Authority for being too honest in my leadership. I thought this would be the end of my career, as it was major news at the time. It turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.” -Lynne Abraham