"Van Stone," Philadelphia
List of Neighborhoods of the Pennsylvania State Representative 190th
District
Strawberry Mansion, East Park, Westpark, Mill Creek, Allegheny West, West Parkside, East Parkside, Belmont, Belmont/Girard Avenue, Brewerytown, Wynnefield, Wynnefield Heights, Overbrook, Mantua, Powelton Villiage, Cathedral Park, Carroll Park, Fairmount, Haddington, Dunlap, Haverford North, Sharswood, Walnut Hill,
CANDIDATE PLATFORM STATEMENT
Samuel Van Stone Downing, Community-Organizer-Activist, Political
Analyst, Block Captain, Editor and Publisher, News Journalist-Poet, Professional
Storyteller and Consultant
Exploratory Candidate for Pennsylvania State Legislator 190th
District Serving West/North Philadelphia-Area
Endorsed by: None have endorsed at this time
Registered Political Party: Registered Democrat (Independent Democrat); Formerly
Registered Independent
Disclosure: Nothing further about the candidate’s
disclosure about his political exploratory
Political
Leadership Roles in the 190th State Rep. District of Philadelphia-Area
Cathedral Park Association
Community Affairs Rep. Catherine Minnis 1985-2019
Chief Community Action Volunteer
Affiliate, State Rep. Mike Horsey 1997-2004
West Philadelphia
Coalition of Neighborhoods and Businesses Empowerment Zone Rep. 1994-1998
Political
Leadership Roles in the 195th State Rep. District of Philadelphia-Area
Chief Community Action
Volunteer Affiliate, Committee-person John A. Williams 2014-2019
Chief Community Action Volunteer
Affiliate, Judge Jimmie Moore 2010-2011
Campaign Manager/Campaign
Advisor Warren Bloom for City Commissioner 2007
Political
Leadership Roles in the 188th State Rep. District of
Philadelphia-Area
Chief Community Action
Volunteer Affiliate, Friends of Spruce Hill/West Park1997-2019
Political
Leadership Roles in the 186th State Rep. District of Philadelphia-Area
Chief Community Action
Volunteer Affiliate, State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson 2010-2012
Political
Leadership Roles in Candidate Races Citywide of Philadelphia-Area
Chief Community Action Volunteer
Affiliate, Committee-person Judge Jimmie Moore 2014-2015
Chief Community Action Volunteer
Affiliate, District Attorney Seth Williams, 2010-2011
Chief Community Action
Volunteer Affiliate, Court of Common Pleas Judge Adam Beloff 2009-2010
Chief Community Action
Volunteer Affiliate, Municipal Court Judge Dawn A Segal 2009-2010
Constitution Party
Philadelphia Regional Rep. Affiliation 2007-2008
Campaign Manager/Campaign
Advisor Kerry Foster for City Mayor 2007-2008
Green Party Philadelphia
Secretary Regional Rep Affiliation 2006-2007
Political
Leadership Roles in the Borough of Yeadon-Area
Chief of Human Affairs,
Children Ed, Health and Immigration Operations, Community Safety Office of
Mayor of Yeadon, Rohan Hepkins 2015-2018
Non-Political Leadership Roles in the 190th District of Philadelphia-Area
Van Stone Productions
Foundation Non-Profit Founder/President Board Member 1980-2019
Friends of Parkside Neighborhood Association Non-Profit Group Chair Affairs Committee 1989-2019
Friends of Parkside Neighborhood Association Non-Profit Group Chair Affairs Committee 1989-2019
Friends of Cathedral Park
Non-Profit Group Chair Affairs Committee 1990-2019
Van Stone Productions
Foundation Town Watch and 52nd Street Rangers Safety Committee
2007-2019
Lee Cultural Center and
Playground Advisory Council Non-Profit Group Pres. Advisory 2003-2017
Friends of Millcreek Non-Profit
Group Chair Affairs Committee 1999-2016
Friends of Haddington
Playground Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Services Committee 1995-2015
Friends of Carroll Park
Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Services Committee 1995-2015
Friends of Lee Cultural
Center and Playground Non-Profit Group Chair Affairs Committee 1992-2007
Friends of Walnut Hill
Neighborhood Association Non-Profit Group Chair Affairs Committee
1980-2004
Lee Playground Community
Organization Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Committee 1979-2002
West Park Advisory
Council Non-Profit Group Chair Affairs Committee 1992-2001
Friends of Paul Robeson
House Non-Profit Group Chair Affairs Committee 1995-2000
Friends of James Wright
Recreation Center Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Committee 1980-2000
Friends of George Institute Branch of Free Library
of Philadelphia Chair Reading Committee 1986-1999
Friends of Belmont Neighborhood Improvement
Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Committee 1981-1999
Friends of Whitby Ave and
Southwest Philly Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Committee 1993-1997
Non-Political Leadership Roles in the 195th District
Friends of the Mander
Playground and Dell East Non-Profit Group Chair Affairs Committee 2002-2019
Friends of Blaine
Elementary School/Van Stone Productions Non-Profit Group Youth Services
2013-2018
Non-Political Leadership Roles in the 188th District
Malcom X Park/Van Stone
Productions Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Services Committee 1983-2019
Friends of Kingsessing
Playground/Van Stone Productions Non-Profit Group Youth Services 1993-2019
Friends of Cedar Park/Van
Stone Productions Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Services 1986-2017
Friends of Clark Park/Van
Stone Productions Non-Profit Group Chair Youth Services 2002-2014
Non-Political Leadership Roles in the 186th District
Friends of Vare
Recreation Center/Van Stone Productions Non-Profit Chair Youth Services
1999-2015
Friends of Alexander
Wilson School/Van Stone Productions Org Chair Youth Services 2009-2011
Friends of 48th
and Woodland Avenue Playground/Van Stone Org. Chair Youth Services 1994-2010
Friends of Tasker Homes
Projects/Van Stone Productions Non-Profit Chair Youth Services 1994-2002
Non-Political Leadership Roles in the Community Citywide of Philadelphia-Area
Foster Care Advocate
Assembly of Foster Care Parents and Foster Children – Appointed Commenter
2000-2019
LGTBQ Youth Advocate
Assembly of Scholars and Poets – Appointed Commenter 1981-2019
Court Fighter Advocate
Assembly of Court Abuse Victims and Know Your Rights Leaders – Appointed
Commenter 2004-2019
Youth Health and Safety,
Anti-Gang and End Gun Violence Advocate Assembly of Scholars and Community
Activist – Appointed Commenter 1980-2019
Public Safety Advocate
Assembly of Safety Officers and Community Leaders – Appointed Commenter
2004-2019
Black Studies/Black Indians
Advocate Assembly of Scholars and Poets – Appointed Commenter 1981-2019
Ex-offenders Association
Advocate Assembly of Ex-offenders and Community Leaders – Appointed Commenter
2003-2018
American Muslim Advocate
Assembly of Scholars and Poets – Appointed Commenter 1981-2015
Philadelphia Police
Clergy Official Spokesperson Assembly of Clergy – Appointed Commenter 2006-2012
State Rep. Kenyatta
Johnson Leadership Award Recipient 2011
Lucien Blackwell Leadership
Award Recipient 2010
Philadelphia School
District Huey Elementary Assembly of Scholars and Poets - Appointed Commenter 2005-2009
Thoughts of the Black Man
Advocate Assembly of Scholars and Poets – Appointed President/Commenter 2004-2007
Meeting Activities in the 190th
District
Community Services Voter Registration; Food
Cupboard; Senior Support; Area Beautification; Economic Development Committee –
President 1980-2019
Public Health Mental
Health and Wellness Committee – President 1983-2019
Public Safety Town Watch
Committee – Chair Board Member 1983-2018
Meeting Activities in the 195th District
Community Services Voter
Registration; Food Cupboard; Senior Support; Area Beatification; Economic
Development Committee – President 1980-2019
Youth Services Education;
Performing Arts; Sports; Summer Camp Committee – President 1980-2019
Public Safety Block Watch
Committee – Chair Board Member 2014-2018
Public Health Mental
Health and Wellness Committee – President 1983-2018
Meeting Activities in the 188th District
Community Services: Voter
Registration Committee; Food Cupboard Committee; Senior Support Committee; Area
Beatification Committee; Economic Development Committee – President 1980-2019
Public Health: Mental
Health and Wellness Committee – President 1983-2019
Youth Services: Education
Committee; Performing Arts Committee; Sports Committee; Summer Camp Committee –
President 1980-2017
Public Safety: Town Watch
Committee – Chair Board Member 1985-2010
Biography
Occupation: Child Care
Teacher/Crossing Guard/Ground Maintenance
Worker/News-Journalist-Commentator/Family-Counseling-Consultant-Entrepreneur
Education: University
City High School, 1980 Cheyney University 1980-1981, Community College
1990-1991, Childcare Paraprofessional Courses and Trainings, 1981-2019
I, Samuel Van Stone
Downing, (my friends, my neighbors, my chapel, fire and police associates, and
my affiliates working in the home and school businesses, and my comic strip, storywriter,
and creative media buddies all know me affectionately as, Van Stone), am
honored to become a participant who would undergo
exploratory questioning so that the Philadelphia residents would choose the
person who qualify to win the candidacy of Pennsylvania state legislator
serving the 190th District Philadelphia-Area.
I have been resident in this city for 56 years. I am a Native American. I am of the Native American Tribe, Lenni Lenape Indians, also known as the Delaware Indian. I am a modern day Black American Indian (or Black Indian), born in North Philadelphia but raised in West Philadelphia since the age of 2. If elected, I will be the first Black American Indian Pennsylvania state legislator serving Philadelphia, Pennsylvanians. I have previously served as a special volunteer worker on the board of well-established citywide community organizations, both at the local and state level. My basic volunteer work includes, but are not limited to, Community Services, Public Health, Youth Services and Public Safety. Being a specialist leads me into another important introduction. I am the founder of the Van Stone Productions (VSP) Foundation 501c3 organization and have served as its founder and president ever since 1980.
My goal, if elected as the
Pennsylvania state legislator of the 190th District, is to offer
perspectives from the next generation who will inherit the work of the qualified
specialist. I will ensure that the community activist will receive the award of
Pennsylvania
state legislature appropriated funds sufficient to complete any original plan
that will make a difference in our community. In doing so, in the Pennsylvania House of Representative 190th
District, I will leverage the Pennsylvania state legislator’s key resources. If
elected I will push for the Pennsylvania state legislature to
adopt a measure providing the City of Philadelphia with funds for the volunteer
specialist working childcare and public safety duties such as proving community
counseling work, working in daycare centers and public schools, patrolling as
well as cleaning and repairing streets, city blocks and playgrounds for the use
of the poor of the city. In addition, I will push for Pennsylvania state
legislature to adopt a measure providing the City of Philadelphia with funds
for free legal aid for family court custody issues and ex-offender paid
volunteer community services work for the use of the poor of the city. And I
will appeal to the Pennsylvania legislature, asking permission and for
assistance to adopt a bill authorizing the Pennsylvania state legislator of the
190th District to have increased funds for building a new community
spirit of relief providing Reparations of monies to all Black American families
be they children, adults or seniors. I will share the effectiveness of experience and fresh ideas to optimize
the 190th District’s neighborhoods’ growth potential. This
state of things in Philadelphia, especially speaking about Philadelphia’s 190th
Pennsylvania state legislators 190th District can be tolerated no
longer. Either the service of the city its areas by district and Ward
must be abandoned, or we, the politicians, the registered voters must conform
with the improved views and methods of modern times.
During my term, I will also assign the role of Gentrification Reversal Committee Liaison, Reparations Potential Liaison Committee (putting funds into the hands of Black Americans), Home Preservation and Community Preservation Liaison Committee, Judicial Family Court Complaints Committee Liaison, Municipal Court Reforms Committee Liaison, Foster Care Parents Support Committee Liaison, Ex-Offender Aide Committee Liaison, as well as Youth Employment and Better Health Committee Liaison, Childcare and School Public Safety Professional Salary Study Committee Liaison and Public Safety Patrol Committee Liaison which shall provide me the opportunity to guide the direction of the North, West and Southwest Philadelphia’s newer social, safe and financial presence. I will launch studies for mandatory wage increase for childcare paraprofessionals such as all paid staff in daycare, teachers’ aides and teacher’s assistants, crossing guards and foster parents alike. From my point of view paraprofessionals working directly with children, regardless if they have at least 2 years of college credits, certificate trainings or not, are grossly paid too low. I will launch studies for ending required licenses to becoming a business barber and other trades working with hair. This venture will undoubtedly yield massive dividends for not only the residents of the 190th district but our residents citywide.
I will launch community resource centers
in space any school may be able to spare as long as the school principal has
agreed for their school to be adopted for such purposes. This venture will
undoubtedly yield quick support to families in need of communication,
arbitration, extracurricular-actuation, and consolidation making a difference. Going
forward as a new style of community activist, I will increasingly communicate
through these powerful programs as they will provide unique avenues to
disseminate the residents of the 190th District message.
I have a strong interest in urgent care.
This past year, I helped plan and direct a Youth Hub course for unemployed and underemployed youth and children activities. The theme of the hub is arts and education, employment support and guidance and care support for Philadelphia youth. I also helped plan and direct an emergency smoking cessation service and family prevention program for teens and adults in Philadelphia. Cessation of nicotine, tobacco, opioid and limiting exposure to secondhand smoke will be the targets. I plan to expand a Block Captain course for already in progress for adults to improve neighborhoods that are suffering the most. These courses were extremely successful and provided an invaluable opportunity for our neighbors to get hands-on, practical experience with counseling procedures, youth services education and safer and cleaner neighborhoods.
Recently, I proposed a concept centered around the 46th and Market Street Building, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA. for the residents of both Westpark and Mill Creek. A new Community Liaison Coordinator Task Force-Group could be implemented to follow in the footsteps Paul Busti, Isaac Holden, John A. Lee, as well as Thomas Kirkbride had done. These 4 past founders and builders of a better Philadelphia community made a difference. I can only hope to do the same.
I see urgent care as a means by which children, youth and adults can diversify and protect themselves from major swings in gentrification, ignoring Reparations, ruining property values, family court custody battles, foster care and DHS crisis, criminal justice reforms, youth unemployment, youth health, daycare worker salary and crossing guard salary, crime levels that could have potentially serious negative impacts on children, parents, teachers, and the Black community.
In my spare time I have a family with both biological and foster kids, publish a 190 thousand a day readership and viewer online newspapers, magazines, blogs and Facebook pages, teach youth artwork class and comic strip writing, promote dance and fitness, and enjoy reading, music, and tennis. I will take the opportunity to serve residents of the 190th Legislative District as a very serious endeavor, and if elected, I will strive to make residential and business communities better for the school student, home owner and renter, job seeker and retired neighbor, family man and woman, and all our hopeful Philadelphians. This is my exploratory candidacy for Pennsylvania state legislator serving the 190th District. Thanks for your consideration.
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