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How Cherelle Parker wants to govern | Morning Newsletter

And fighting to represent Northeast Philly

Cherelle Parker, Democratic candidate for mayor of Philadelphia, is interviewed by The Inquirer at her campaign office Wednesday.
Cherelle Parker, Democratic candidate for mayor of Philadelphia, is interviewed by The Inquirer at her campaign office Wednesday.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
    by Taylor Allen
    Published 

    The Morning Newsletter

    Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

It’s the first week of October but it doesn’t feel like it. You can expect to start your week with sunny skies and a high of 80.

Our lead story explores how Democratic mayoral nominee Cherelle Parker wants to operate if she clinches the city’s top job.

— Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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What kind of mayor does Cherelle Parker want to be?

If Cherelle Parker wins the Philadelphia mayoral election in November, she wants to create advisory councils of industry heavyweights, faith leaders, and policy stakeholders to help guide her administration.

Her message: Get on board now or forfeit your right to complain later.

In her own words: “I need a structure and an organized vehicle that has anyone who has a nickel in the quarter in that industry at the table, so no one is left out,” Parker said. “You may not like the ultimate outcome of the decision, but I will never give anyone the opportunity to say, ‘I have a nickel in the quarter, and this administration didn’t even bother to hear me.’”

The plan is emblematic of how she worked as a legislator in Harrisburg and on City Council.

Continue reading to learn how this approach has led to her most notable wins, as well as some questionable moments.

What you should know today

  1. The Philadelphia Orchestra management said it was “disappointed” that its musicians rejected its latest contract proposal.

  2. Transit Workers voted Sunday to authorize a strike against SEPTA.

  3. Police Free Penn and local community groups will host a panel discussion Monday night on the relationship between the University of Pennsylvania and the surrounding Black community of West Philadelphia.

  4. Lyme disease vaccines are back but there’s questions about how much public demand there will be.

  5. The weather for the Phillies’ wild-card series will likely feel like June in South Philly.

  6. Our pop music critic Dan DeLuca has a review of boygenius’ first-ever Philadelphia show at the Mann to a sold-out crowd of over 12,000.

A serious challenge

Philly’s sole Republican Council member will have to fight to keep his seat.

Brian O’Neill has held the 10th District Council seat for a staggering 44 years and Democratic union leader Gary Masino is trying to change that.

Note: It’s one of the only competitive elections on the Nov. 7 ballot. It’s high stakes for the Philadelphia GOP who are also locked in a battle with the progressive Working Families Party for two at-large Council seats that are reserved for non-Democrats.

This isn’t the first time O’Neill has faced competition but this is different. Masino has raised more money than a typical challenger thanks to his construction union allies. Both candidates are running ads on cable which is rare for a district Council race.

Also, both are seen as moderates in their respective parties and are focused on public safety.

Continue reading to understand the high spending getting poured into this race.

🧠 Trivia time 🧠

The founder of Philly’s annual Fringe Festival, Nick Stuccio, will resign from his position as the director of FringeArts.

How long will his tenure be?

A) 25 years

B) 27 years

C) 30 years

D) 40 years

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re...

👀 Watching: Rep. Matt Gaetz said he’ll try to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy after McCarthy relied on Democratic support to pass legislation that avoided a government shutdown.

💭 Wondering: If the Philly thief who stole a shop-vac filled with hundreds of giant hornets opened it yet.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram 🧩

Hint: Known for its ball pit

CRESCENDO AARON CUB

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Lisa Chapman, who correctly guessed Sunday’s answer: apple picking.

Photo of the day

I hope you have a smooth start to your week.☀️ I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning.