SCOTT CUMMINGS CONSIDERS CANDIDACY IN 6TH DISTRICT RACE AS REPUBLICAN
BY EDWARD VASSALLO
STAFF WRITER
Have you ever stopped and thought what you would do if elected to City Council?
Scott Cummings, President of the Mayfair civic Association, is currently weighing the pros and cons as he tries to decide whether or not to seek the Republican nomination in the Sixth Councilman District in 2007.
"Alot of people are trying to push me to do this", he said, "But if I am going to do this, it's not going to be for political reasons; it's going to be for community reasons."
Cummings, who works at The Philadelphia Parking Authority and previously worked for one Donald J. Trump, took over the civic association more than two years ago. Since then, he raised the membership from 10 to 1000. He reached out to other civic associations such as Holmesburg, Tacony and Wissinoming, in an effort to work together.
But what he calls his "biggest victory" is the agreement he made with the WOW Family Fun Center, which was a sore spot in the community because they would bus in teenagers in from other parts of the city.
In accordance of the agreement, WOW has Mayfair Civic nights as well as events for area schools. More importantly, Cummings, who said he used to receive phone calls from neighbors every Friday and Saturday night regarding WOW, has only received one complaint about the property since May.
" I have a love affair with Mayfair", he said," It's my neighborhood. I enjoy what I do. There's no perks, long hours and no pay, but I get the satisfaction of helping my neighbors. The one thing that you can give a community that can't be measured is your time."
With City Councilwoman Joan L. Krajewski(D-6) not expected to seek another term, Cummings said he needs to decide if helping his neighbors is something he wants to do on a broader scale in City Council.
Politically, he would need the support of House Speaker John M. Perzel( R-172). On the Democratic side, should Krajewski decide not to run, State Rep. Michael P. McGeehan (R-173) is widely expected to announce his candidacy.
"This is the hardest decision I've ever made", he said, " But the deciding factor will be my family. It all revolves around my family. The hardest part is going to be balancing my time
with them. How do you keep everybody happy? It's a difficult decision to make."
Sam Mirarchi, who lost his bid for State Senate against Sen. Michael Stack(D-5) last year, approached Cummings to throw his political hat in the ring, Cummings said.
"I am not a political animal by trade", Cummings said, "But I was honored to explore the opportunity."
The Draft Scott Cummings for City Council Committee has already held fundraisers attended by hundreds of people.
"I'm honored by the out-pouring of support" Cummings said. "I've had alot of people come up to me and say, "We are pulling for you Scott."
If he does run and win, one thing that will change is he will step down as president of Mayfair Civic.
"It's only fair to give someone else a shot," he said.
Other than that, Cummings still plans to live on Friendship Street and he plans to coach with the Holy Terrors.
"I am not about politics," he said. " I am about the neighborhoods." "Win, lose or draw, I like what I do."
You can reach Edward J. Vassallo by calling 215-969-5100, or at
http://us.f515.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=evassallo@newsgleaner.com.
