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Signe’s Sketchbook: City Council candidates forum

Cartoonist Signe Wilkinson sketched her way through Monday night's City Council Candidates' Forum at WHYY.

Signe Wilkinson sketches of rival candidates for Philadelphia's 2nd District City Council seat: Lauren Vidas and incumbent Kenyatta Johnson.
Signe Wilkinson sketches of rival candidates for Philadelphia's 2nd District City Council seat: Lauren Vidas and incumbent Kenyatta Johnson.Read moreSigne Wilkinson / Staff

On Monday night, more than 30 candidates running for Philadelphia City Council seats and other offices joined about 250 voters for a meet-and-greet at WHYY. The forum, sponsored by The Inquirer, WHYY, the Committee of Seventy, and other partners, was like a giant farmers market of local Democrats, Republicans, and stray Independents from the great Northeast to South Philly.

Nattily dressed 2nd District City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson held forth a table or two away from his challenger, the straightforwardly dressed Lauren Vidas, who straightforwardly ticked off the reforms she’d make if elected. There were many ideas on things to be done but not many ideas on how to pay for them. Republican Council candidate Matt Wolfe asked, “We’re the fourth poorest city in the country. How can that be?” It’s the question longtime Democratic office holders and our do-nothing city GOP “leaders” should be asked again and again.

» READ MORE: ‘Why should I vote for you?’ Council candidates make their pitch.

» READ MORE: The Inquirer’s Voter’s Guide

» For more editorial cartoons, visit Philly.com/opinion/cartoons/.