Candidate Profile: Bill Durham

Editor's Note: This is the sixth in a series that will run throughout the week in which we publish question and answer sessions with each of the seven candidates in the . Each candidate will answer the same five questions. We'll also run videos of the candidates talking specifically about Chestnut Hill issues.

One of today's featured candidates is Bill Durham. Watch his video here, and remember, Election Day is May 17.

Tell us about your background and about why you’re running for City Council.

I grew up in Philadelphia, graduated from Roxborough High School. Went to the military for about 17 years, Navy, Marine Corps. I got involved in politics because I was displeased with a politician in my community who wasn't doing anything. So I ran against that person and won. So that's how I initially got involved.

But I found that politics, when used properly, can be very effective in affecting the lives of people and communities. That leads me to why I decided to run. I believe that there's a lot that needs to be done. I've been now in politics or over 15, 16 years. I'm the chairman of the Democratic party for the Northwest. I am sergeant of arms for the Pennsylvania state committee. And I've had a lot of experiences working with the political system.

And I do believe that politics caused a lot of our problems, but it's going to take good politics to change things around. And I believe that I know how to do that and I am the mostly qualified person politically in order to make sure that the system is working properly and correctly to benefit the communities in the Northwest.

How would you, as a City Council member, work with the School District of Philadelphia to improve students' performance?

I believe that we should have some responsibility for our schools. I want to get very involved in the school district and in the schools, especially, in the 8th Councilmanic District. Because of our lack of supervision, or not having any input, I think that this is a direct response over the years to what happens when companies for profit and other industries get involved in the school district.

So I would immediately start placing a little weight out of our office in getting more involved in the education of the children in the 8th District and hopefully in the city.

In the city's budget, where would you like to see more funding, and where do you think cuts could be made?

I think that we have to concentrate on looking at, again, issues that surround quality of life. I think that we sacrifice too much on areas such as quality of life issues, libraries, recreation centers. It's always those kinds of areas that are attacked initially instead of looking at some of the bad deals that the city has made and we need to get out of to save some money.

So I would start looking at other areas that are problematic that we normally don't discuss. But I would try to infuse money into community projects in order to transform neighborhoods.

Where do you stand on DROP?

Well, I mean, the DROP program, I've said many times—and this is a common line—that the DROP program was never intended for elected officials. I personally feel that it was discovered that this is an easy way to make some money and still maintain your elected position. And I believe some people took advantage of it, and that's what the public outcry's about.

I would not get into a program like that. I think the salary and the benefits that councilpeople receive are adequate. But I believe that that was a mistake that we need to all learn from and not repeat.

How would you work to fill vacant properties and revitalize business districts?

Initially I want to do an assessment of everything—every property, every lot and every asset. I don't look at these vacant properties and lots as problems. I look at them as potential opportunities and assets. So I want to do that. The city's going to be doing a property assessment anyway. But along with that, look at all the vacant lots.

Then I want to take a look at how and in what way they can benefit communities. I would entertain having developers come in and create jobs to revitalize housing.

Philadelphia's always been known as a family town. We struggle as communities when we get too many rentals and too may other things going on in neighborhoods. So I think there's a tremendous opportunity here. It's going to create opportunities for jobs; it's going to create opportunities for what I believe in—vocational training—and I think it will provide a market to get us stimulated up in this area. So I would definitely put together a summit of some type.

(During) my first 120 days, that will be one of the things that I really want to make sure that we cover.