Deep in the DNA of Philadelphia mayoral candidate Rebecca Rhynhart may dwell the exact skills needed to effectively lead the sixth largest populated United States city. Steve Sherman explained in The Philadelphia Tribune.

Rhynhart was born in Wisconsin but grew up in Abington. Her mother was an adjunct professor of mathematics at Penn State Abington; her dad, a political science professor. She herself graduated Abington High School.

Atop that foundation, she cites her advantages of a 15-year relationship within city government — spanning two former mayors and five years as City Controller — and experience running municipal budgets.

She has cited a day-one fiscal initiative: reign in overtime.

“It isn’t about putting more dollars into the budget,’ she said. Rather, it’s that “[t]he city is not managing well.”

In her quality-of-life priorities, reducing gun violence is paramount.

Her idea is a three-pronged approach:

1. Coordinated resources among the city streets department, behavior health staff, and the District Attorney’s office
2. A social remediation program of group violence intervention and cognitive behavioral therapies
3. Increased hours at libraries and rec centers to give teens someplace to go

Rhynhart’s next hurdle is the May 11 Democratic primary.

More on Abington native Rebecca Rhynhart is at The Philadelphia Tribune.

______

An extensive Q&A with candidate Rebecca Rhynhart.