Want Change? Start at the Polls!

Every May and November, no matter what part of the city they live; men and women of all colors and creeds, not to mention political parties, wake up and go to the polls to vote for the candidates that are on the ballot. Most of these polls are in walking distance from their own home. On May 17, 2005, all across the City people casted their ballots at numerous polling places. Many people, out in Northwest Philly, the 50th Ward, chose between Lynn Abraham and Seth Williams in the Democratic Primary. Many also did this at Finley Playground, a voter friendly, handicap accessible location. Next, out in West Philly, in the 3rd, 4th and 6th Wards, in community centers and public buildings, this battle was also waged as well as deciding which judicial or traffic court candidate is their flavor. Seems pretty regular right?
What about our friends in the 48th Ward, 4th division in South Philly? When they go to the Polls, they must push aside “40’s” of beer and shots of whiskey in order to get to their machine. This establishment, you see, is a tavern, which according to old customs, was supposed to be closed on Election Day. However, it is open and there are steps one must escalate in order to get inside. This is not our idea of handicap accessible.
Next, on the other side of South Philly, in Whitman and Pennsport, when other neighbors are voting in Mummers’ Halls or the Dickinson Square Rec Center, the people of the 1st Ward, 5th division are graced with the smiling face of the esteemed Senator from Philadelphia, one Vincent J. Fumo. This polling place serves as the 1st Ward Democrat Headquarters. I bet the Republican Committeeperson feels just as much at home outside, as the Republican poll watcher on the inside. I’m sure John Morley, who ran against Mr. Fumo, was not allowed to wear his buttons inside that polling place, but we am also sure that anything that said “Fumo” was not taken down or covered up.
Outside of these direct inadequacies and wrongs, there are also polling places listed by the Commissioners as “Vacant Residence”, “Vacant Store Front” or better yet "Vacant Funeral Home"; most without running water or electricity. This is unsafe and unfair to these voters. Also, aside from these, too many private residences are being used as polling places instead of large, handicap accessible community centers that are in the adjacent divisions.
Why am I bringing this up now? This is an off year for elections, many judicial positions are open as well as the row offices. There aren’t many initiatives on the ballot. The turnout is going to be low. We have heard them all, but the main reason we are bringing this up now, is that last year, the local parties and Mr. Bob Lee, as well as our three elected Commissioners, turned this into a race issue, i.e. that Republicans were trying to suppress the minority vote, while at the same time agreeing that these polling places were improper. They voted against the move last year, not because all the proposed places were handicap accessible or they were not in bars or because other were not in a senator’s office, rather, they voted no because of a technicality. They cited late filing; I cite laziness and their laissez faire approach to change in this city.
It is now eight months later and those polling place remain. Why you ask? Because this city is scared of change. The corruption that stews in City Hall also trickles down to the Commissioners' office as well as over to Delaware and Springarden. So, Commissioners Tartaglione, Duda and Howard, do the right thing this time, don’t make it a partisan issue, don’t make it a race issue and don’t make it a customary issue, make it the right thing to do and move those polling places for the health and well being, not to mention fairness, of those individuals that are doing their civic duty, by voting there.