Recently, in addition to the typical Harrisburg happenings—such as a new committee appointment and budget season—I have worked to connect with my constituents in new and interesting ways. Below you will find information about two radio broadcasts dealing with the issues of minority contracting and violence in our community. These radio broadcasts were the first step in starting important conversations on these topics in a way that allows and encourages public participation.

Additionally, I am excited to announce that you can now follow me on Twitter @SenTonyWilliams or view the SenTonyWilliams YouTube Channel.
New technology is the key not only to communication, but to education, economic development, and social progress. I always enjoy hearing from my constituents and I particularly look forward to connecting with you through those new means.

Sincerely, ANTHONY H. WILLIAMS PA SENATE - 8TH DISTRICT

HARRISBURG HAPPENINGS

Sen. Williams Hosts Minority Contracting Roundtable

On May 15, Sen. Williams joined Bill Anderson as co-host on his morning show Wake Up With Bill on WURD 900 AM for a discussion about minority contracting opportunities. Williams has worked on the issue in the past as a founder of the Diversity Apprenticeship program and as a member of Mayor Michael Nutter’s Advisory Commission on Construction Industry Diversity.

“The question that brings us to this broadcast is the [Pennsylvania] Convention Center project,” Williams said. "It is incumbent upon us as elected officials that we make certain demands upon the process. It’s our responsibility when these projects, like the stadiums and the convention center, come about that we take the opportunity through votes, or with our influence as political figures, to put pressure on that process.”

The first panelists to join the conversation were Ahmeenah Young, chief executive officer of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and James Roundtree, director of diversity contracts. To date, of the $500 million for the contracting and construction of the project, $140 million has gone to minority and female contractors, $75 million of which to African American contractors.

“I am satisfied where we are to date, but I am not happy until we can have [higher minority] participation - not only in this project but in any project in the commonwealth - and that [minorities] know that they have a fair shot,” Young said.

Following Young and Roundtree, Bill Cromedy, a minority contractor on part two of the Convention Center project, joined the discussion. Cromedy, president of Advantage Contracting, is using his experience to help other minority contractors.

Peter Speaks, deputy secretary and special advisor to the governor for minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business development, spoke about the state-wide initiatives to encourage minority and female participation in state contracting opportunities. Prior to Gov. Rendell less than 1 percent of the Commonwealth's contracts were controlled by minority or female contractors. Today the state level is about 10 percent, and the goal still higher.

Clay Armbrister, chief-of-staff to Mayor Michael Nutter, Congressman Bob Brady, and Sam Staten Jr., business manager for Laborers Local 332, concluded the final segment of the broadcast. Anderson and Williams discussed the need to continue and deepen the conversation, and plan to hold a week-long series of interviews with many of the same guests to be broadcast again on WURD.
 

Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia

Sen. Williams also participated in a WURD broadcast on May 28 presented by Blueprint for Safer Philadelphia. The program focused on summer activities for youth, which would keep them engaged in educational or extracurricular programming and off the streets. Throughout the day, representatives from the Blueprint, Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, Philadelphia Anti-Drug/ Anti-Violence Network (PANN), Town Watch Integrated Services, After School Activities Partnership, Youth Outreach Adolescent Community Awareness Program (YO-ACAP), and more discussed the services they provide for youth.

The day concluded with a one-hour roundtable discussion with Williams, Bill Anderson from WURD, state Rep. Kenyatta Johnson, Darryl Coates and Mike Harris from PAAN. Williams discussed how programs like Blueprint allow the community to help combat youth violence, but that more needs to be done.

“The Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia is simply a collection of community activists, members and of course youth who are engaged, but we need more. This [violence] is solvable, this is fixable, but we have to go beyond having a vigil on a street corner when a child gets killed. Everyone needs to be agitated and activated by this level of violence.”