A new local political network is planning to change Philadelphia politics for the better.
The group, called Neighborhood Networks, held its first organizational meeting Saturday at the Penn Law School.
Neighborhood Networks characterizes itself as a progressive organization that plans to mimic the ward-and-division structure of Philadelphia's Democratic Party in order to change the way liberal politics are run in the city.
In her opening remarks, Neighborhood Networks steering-committee member Gloria Gilman spoke about practicing "democracy with a small 'd'" -- working outside of the Democratic Party -- and the other guiding principles behind Neighborhood Networks.
Gilman also addressed the practices of the Democrats that Neighborhood Networks sees as corrupt and wants to eliminate, such as candidates paying ward leaders for their endorsements.
Currently, those running for judgeships in Philadelphia must pay "$35,000 to the Democratic Party for the privilege of getting their endorsement," Gilman said. "We believe in a real democratic process,," she added.
Neighborhood Networks plans to endorse candidates for city, state and national office who espouse progressive values, whether they are Democrats, third-party candidates or independents.
At the meeting, Executive Director of Democracy for America Tom Hughes stressed the importance of networking, especially through house parties and picnics ? both of which he found extremely helpful during his work on the Howard Dean campaign.
Many of those in attendance on Saturday had been part of MoveOn.org's efforts on behalf of the Democratic Party during the 2004 campaign but were disappointed by the organization's lack of activity after the election. Also present were Democratic ward leaders from around the city.
Former Democratic candidate for Senate Joe Hoeffel encouraged those assembled to "make the word 'liberal' good again," emphasizing that they must have a message that is "sincere and easy to understand."
Residents of the city's West Philadelphia ward prioritized such issues as tackling Philadelphia's "pay-to-play" politics, improving public transportation and continuing to improve local neighborhoods.
The West Philadelphia group also addressed strategies that would make Neighborhood Networks effective, such as getting its members places on ward committees, recruiting new members and spreading its message through public-access TV.
Elizabeth Stenger, a current ward leader, was elected to be the West Philadelphia representative on the Neighborhood Networks steering committee.
Democratic ward leader Don Engel, a Penn graduate student, was optimistic about Neighborhood Networks and hoped that it could lead to a better-run Democratic Party system in Philadelphia.
"The system as it's set up could be made to work. We just have to get people involved," Engel said.
