Three vie for council seat

COATESVILLE » Pennsylvania’s primary is Tuesday.

Many residents will cast votes across the commonwealth in races for the Democratic or Republican parties ahead of the general election in November.

In Coatesville, a special nonpartisan election is taking place Tuesday to fill the remaining term of an unexpired City Council atlarge seat. This election is open to all registered voters in the city, regardless of party affiliation.

Three candidates are running for the office, including Councilwoman Marie Lawson, the incumbent, who is running as an independent, as well as Republican Fran Scamuffa and Democrat

Nydea Graves, who are both running for elected office for the first time.

Earlier this year, the council appointed Lawson to fill the vacant at-large seat, the term for which expires in January 2022, after Debbie Bookman relinquished the seat to take on the role of county prothonatary, a countywide office she won election to in 2019.

Systematic disenfranchisement

“The murder of George Floyd, has left me angry, heartbroken and somber over the last few days, as I continue to see my community cry out over the terrorism that have been done over centuries,” Graves, 27, said Sunday. “I am an African-American person and completely understand what it’s like to carry the burden of systemic oppression with me every day, black people have always been killed by police, prisons and racial capitalism.”

Across the nation this weekend, cities are engulfed by demonstrations sparked by the death of Floyd which occurred while in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25. Video footage taken at the scene shows a police officer, who has since been charged with manslaughter, kneeling on Floyd’s neck on a city street].

Handcuffed and on the ground face-down, Floyd pleaded for his life, for relief, to no avail.

The video capturing his last moments went viral last week. Now, from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, tens of thousands of people are demonstrating for justice. However concurrently, much vandalism and some incidents of gun violence have also occurred.

In Washington, D.C., the U.S. Secret Service over the weekend repeatedly engaged with demonstrators outside the White House at Lafayette Park. This type of extreme civil disobedience in the nation’s capital is very atypical, especially since Sept. 11.

“Using the hashtag #ICantBreathe again has been completely devastating, but something in me knew that a murder, of this nature would inevitably happen again,” Graves said. “I don’t think hashtags, paid administrative leave or even an officer being charged with manslaughter is enough to bring justice.”

The black community’ in America, she said, must transform.

“We need a complete overhaul — of the criminal justice system — one that is based upon healing and accountability and not profit and punishment,” she said. “That is the only way to stand against injustice and stand for humane treatment of all people.”

As municipalities across Chester County prepare to lift some COVID-19 restrictions Friday, the city remains disenfranchised in wake of the pandemic and its outgoing impact on wealthy neighboring communities such as Unionville, Downingtown, West Chester and Kennett Square.

For instance, while outdoor dining is set to take place in the boroughs of West Chester and Kennett Square on Friday, in contrast, the government of Coatesville recently announced that the city is extending its most restrictive stay-at-home mandates including an ongoing curfew.

Coatesville, established as a city in 1915, is the only municipality in Chester County to enact a curfew, earlier this spring, to mitigate COVID-19 exposure.

Once an industrial mecca, Coatesville is home to about 14,000 people and leads directly to the Main Line eastbound in the greater Philadelphia region and westward leads to Lancaster, Harrisburg and Gettysburg.

Coatesville is home to one of the highest municipal poverty rates in Pennsylvania — more than 30% of the city’s population is impoverished.

In nearby Brandywine and Valley Forge, the city is rich with deep American Revolutionary history and the crux of the community runs along Lincoln Highway. Many historic buildings line the streets with some venues abandoned whilst other spaces are occupied by locally owned and run small businesses.

Coatesville is classified as a “third-class city” under Pennsylvania code, and the city has no mayor. Governance is run by the City Council.

There are seven member seats on council in the city of Coatesville, home to five wards across the municipality. Each ward elects one council member to represent their interests locally; there are also two at-large members. All seats are typically up for election every four years, unless someone resigns. Then a special, nonpartisan election occurs, per Pennsylvania law.

The Daily Local News asked all of the candidates running in this spring’s special election for council a few questions ahead of Election Day on Tuesday.

Marie Lawson

What about Coatesville inspires and as a City Council member and why are you running in this year’s special election? Why is this seat up for election?

“In the 2019 election cycle, Debbie Bookman was successful in her run for prothonotary. After she took on her role in the county, that created a vacancy on the council. I was more than happy to apply for that position. Being the only person to apply for the vacancy in January, I was able to become active by February,” Lawson said.

“I am always inspired by the city and people. After serving four years from 2014-2018, it is very gratifying to be able to return and have so many people want to help out, participate, and get involved because of the work that people see me getting involved in. I am running in the special election because I know what it takes to be a council member, I have the experience, the knowledge of all current projects due to being on council before, and I know what the mission and goals are for the city. I want to be there to help steer the city to those goals.”

What are the three biggest challenges facing the city and what goals would you like to achieve as a City Council to address them in the year ahead?

“The three biggest challenges for the city are building up our business district, our job market and revitalization. All three of these areas demand consistency, determination and professionalism,” Lawson said. “I feel that I bring all three of those qualities to the table. Relationships with other municipalities play a large part of everyone’s growth. I am proud to represent the city of Coatesville on the Western Chester County Chamber of Governments. We work together to share ideas, resources and plans to create a better environment for each other. Knowing that our challenges require time and a part of a larger process, I am willing to do what it takes to make sure the people and government agencies who are investing in our future know that we are ready, we are committed, and we are poised to lead as the only city in Chester County.”

Can you tell readers about your family life and background? Any recent milestones?

“I have a wonderful, supportive husband and two daughters who have been with me through three campaigns so far. I believe it is very important to show our youth what it means to be civically responsible. They come with me to work the polls, to meetings and to vote. I am an educator by profession,” Lawson said.

The City Council enacted a curfew to mitigate COVID-19 exposure. Has this decision proven successful in flattening the curve and protecting the community at large? When will the curfew be lifted?

“As a governing body, it is our first priority to protect the residents of our municipality. As a mother of two daughters, it is equally important to me to protect the future,” Lawson said. “As residents, family and neighbors of the community where we serve, it is paramount that we look out for the safety of the people . ... The environment that we set by enacting the curfew was out of an abundance of caution.”

She said many unknowns continue to be at play pertaining to the threat of novel coronavirus.

“We wanted to make sure that our residents were protected as much as possible,” she said. “We have an aging population, as well as many residents who are essential workers due to their positions in the hospitality, nursing and retail industries. The curfew will be lifted when the county phases into yellow (Friday) and restrictions are relaxed by the state government.”

What are three tasks you believe are needed to be achieved right now to combat COVID-19 in Coatesville and in Chester County as a whole?

“As we all work our way through this pandemic, the most important thing for our city as a whole is to make sure as people transition back to work and our stores begin to reopen that these are all done with caution and procedures in place. It is very hard to distance ourselves from something we cannot see,” Lawson said.

“For many, the pandemic became a reality due to loss or illness. We want to make sure that we continue to educate our residents and make sure that they have the information they need to make good decisions regarding their health and the health of their families. Lastly, we want to get some normalcy back for our residents. We look forward to things such as concerts, festivals, carnivals … every year. We will have to be creative with social distancing measures in mind on how to engage and entertain while keeping everyone safe.”

What has this pandemic taught you about the power of community in Coatesville how does this lesson inspire you to make a difference?

Said Lawson, “I have been Coatesville through and through since I was a child. I knew that our community would stand up stronger together. Our city and school district always pull together when it is necessary. One thing about being from Coatesville, city or school district, is that we always look out for one another. If you’re hungry, someone will make sure you eat. Cold? Someone has a heater, blankets or a warm bed for you. Our community has been through a lot and if anyone can make it through a pandemic, it’s the City of Coatesville.”

Fran Scamuffa

What about Coatesville inspires to run for City Council and why are you running in this year’s special election?

“The city of Coatesville has had many of the same issues for years. We have had many of the same councilpersons for term after term, and there has not been much change,” Scamuffa said. “It is time to open up a seat to someone that is a free thinker and can make their own decisions without the influence of others while still working in collaboration with one another.”

What are the three biggest challenges facing the city and what goals would you like to achieve as a City Council member in the year ahead?

“Choosing just three is a challenge. The three I would choose right now are:

“• Maintaining some sort of financial stability in the city.

“• Lack of businesses, although they are very slowly coming in.

“• Increase actual homeownership rather than continuing the exuberant amount of rentals.”

Can you tell readers about your family life and background? Any recent milestones?

“My grandparents immigrated here to Coatesville from Italy in 1902. The first home they owned was on South First Avenue in South Coatesville. From there, they purchased a home on the corner of Second and Lumber. My mother immigrated from Sicily, I believe in the mid- to late 50s. That was the beginning of my roots here in the city of Coatesville,” Scamuffa said.

“I, myself, was born and raised here in Coatesville. I grew up on South Sixth Avenue and currently reside in the west end of the city. I am blessed and happily employed by Abdala Insurance in Valley Township as a licensed agent in the state of Pa. I have two adult children, ages 30 and 24. Both attended and graduated from the Coatesville Area High School. I was recently appointed to the Civil Service Commission for the city, one of the many committees that I am happy to serve on for the city.

“My uncle, Dominic Scamuffa, served on City Council back in the ’80s. My brother, Mario Scamuffa was a member of the city’s fire department stations 4¼3, until his passing in 2002. He also served as the plumbing inspector at one point.

“We have deep roots here Coatesville and I am proud to call it my home.”

The City Council enacted a curfew to mitigate COVID-19 exposure. Has this decision proven successful in flattening the curve and protecting the community at large? When will the curfew be lifted?

“The curfew enacted by the current council has definitely mitigated exposure to COVID-19. The rate of infection had they not done this could have been much greater,” Scamuffa said. “It is imperative that we keep all the members of our community as safe as possible.”

Of the curfew, Scamuffa said, “If I understood correctly during the latest council meeting via Zoom on May 26, the curfew has been extended to follow the current orders and dates issued by the governor. This will be revisited and revised accordingly.”

What are three tasks you believe are needed to be achieved right now to combat COVID-19 in Coatesville and in Chester County as a whole?

“Continue to social distance, wear your mask, if you are symptomatic get tested, wash your hands and keep surfaces clean. If there are tests available to you and under recommendation of your doctor, maybe get tested for the antibodies. Your doctor can make recommendations to you on your specific needs. You can always contact the county as well and find where these services are available to you,” Scamuffa said.

What has this pandemic taught you about the power of community in Coatesville and how does this lesson inspire you to make a difference in the world around?

“You know, handling a pandemic in any government body is not the easiest task. In our lifetimes, we haven’t experienced anything like this,” said Scamuffa, 50. “In the future should this occur, we will be more prepared. We live in uncertain times. As a whole, I believe the community has really stepped up in trying to counteract the effects of the virus. Even with the impact of income loss, people are doing their best to support the small businesses. My heart aches to see the impact COVID has had in the world. It gives me hope that humanity is not a complete loss.”

Nydea Graves

What about Coatesville inspires to run for City Council and why are you running in this year’s special election?

“I am a Coatesville resident born and raised. I’ve been in Coatesville for my entire life, and it’s a beautiful and tight-knit community,” Graves said. “Everyone here knows your name and your family, and even sometimes your parents and teachers graduated from Coatesville Area High School. I am a working-class person who has grown up knowing that myself and other working class people in Coatesville have been left behind by the political establishment. As Coatesville revitalizes, I want to assure that the community that I love so much has access to a living wage guaranteed housing and can share the benefit of a thriving community.”

What are the three biggest challenges facing the city and what goals would you like to achieve as a City Council member in the year ahead?

“One of the biggest challenges in Coatesville is that we do not have a mayor. We need transparent and accountable leadership, someone who says that the buck stops here. Our executive leader needs to be someone voted in by the people and not appointed by the seven city council members. Our local government needs responsibility and accountability,” Graves said.

“Government is meant to work in favor of the people that it represents and we need a mayor,” she noted.

“Some of the biggest things that I would like to achieve as a city councilperson is working on housing as a human right, some of those things at the local level include fighting for fair zoning, tenants protections, and always voting against raising Coatesville’s extremely high residential taxes.”

Can you tell readers about your family life and background? Any recent milestones?

“I am From Coatesville, I am a fifth-generation native. My family has been here for over 100 years, I am African-American and Muslim, and I am a community activist, a lot of my work has been around prison reform. I’m a grassroots organizer with the organization Chester County Stands Up,” Graves said.

“I am in college. I’m taking fashion classes, which shows I didn’t go through planning my life out believing that I was going to step in to the public arena; however, I became very clear on how necessary it was for me to stand up for people in my community who feel that their voices aren’t being heard.”

The City Council enacted a curfew to mitigate COVID-19 exposure. Has this decision proven successful in flattening the curve and protecting the community at large? When will the curfew be lifted?

“So I completely support city council’s decision to institute a stay at home order, I have talked to an epidemiologist in my work around prison reform, and it’s pretty clear to me that if I don’t have a degree in epidemiology, I need to listen to the people who do,” Graves said. “We have to act in solidarity with people who are most vulnerable because these circumstances are very unprecedented, It’s like something that we’ve never experienced.”

She said science and technology have to catch up with this novel coronavirus and during that time sometimes we have to resort to classic methods of disease mitigation. Graves said she’d feel ready to lift the curfew upon the recommendation of epidemiologists.

“I totally understand the worry of citizens who feel that they are going to experience economic recession during this time that is a real and valid worry. Graves said. “It’s a testament to how much working class people have been left behind, we shouldn’t have to choose between our lives and safety and our economic stability. That’s why working on things like housing justice are so important to me as a City Council candidate because if we provided more resources, people would have less anxiety around how they are going to just make it day to day.”

What are three tasks you believe are needed to be achieved right now to combat COVID-19 in Coatesville and in Chester County as a whole?

“We need more resources to keep people at home without the fear of economic anxiety, some of the things that we are feeling uncertain about are things that are basic human rights. People are just concerned about whether they will have housing, jobs and access to education when this is all said and done,” Graves said.

She added, “We need to start considering universal health care very seriously.” Graves also advocated that key medical resources to screen for COVID-19 immunity take place immediately to safeguard the community as a whole.

What has this pandemic taught you about the power of community in Coatesville and how does this lesson inspire you to make a difference in the world around?

“The community of Coatesville during this pandemic has really risen up and shown me what a community actually is,” Graves said.

“I’ve seen incidences of mutual aid, parents feeding children that they know only ate because of school lunch and people grocery shopping for elders. I have learned during this pandemic that we are only physically distancing, but have found ways to be in community with each other and that’s been so amazing.”