February 08, 2016
Hayden Mitman/for PhillyVoice
Freshman City Councilman at Large, Al Taubenberger, at his desk in council chambers. The councilman discussed his hopes as he joins the city's legislative body.
Al Taubenberger, new city councilman-at-large, is hardly new to Philadelphia politics.
One of five new faces on council, the 62-year-old Republican councilman worked for City Councilwoman Joan Krajewski and City Councilman Jack Kelley in the past and has spent 23 years as president of the Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
"That's important, creating jobs. Actually that's everything... Unfortunately right now, we are the largest, poorest city in America. That's something that we hopefully can change." – Al Taubenberger
His victory in the November election – making him one of three Republicans on City Council, along with Brian O'Neill in the 10th District and Councilman-at-large David Oh – was a real victory for Taubenberger, who'd lost council elections in the past. He's also lost previous elections for Philadelphia mayor in 2007, U.S. Congress in 2002 and 2004, and State Senate in 2012.
Why run so many times for elected office?
"What drives me is helping people," Taubenberger said.
Taubenberger didn't dwell on his previous losses in a recent interview. Instead, he talked about how he wants to bring jobs to the city – one of the most pressing issues facing Philadelphia, he said.
"That's important, creating jobs," he said. "Actually that's everything... Unfortunately right now, we are the largest, poorest city in America. That's something that we hopefully can change."
Asked how he would hope to create jobs, and whether he saw his chamber experience helping him achieve that job growth, Taubenberger said his knowledge of the needs of local, small businesses could help inform council.
"The fact, also, that there are so many taxes in the city that make it very difficult to start businesses, people will tell you, accountants particularly will tell you, 'That's a great idea but it might be better to start that in Camden County, Bucks County, or Montgomery County or any county but Philadelphia,' because the taxes there are less," he said.
He pointed to the pending closure of Bemis Healthcare Packaging facility in Northeast Philly which will send more 200 jobs to Wisconsin as a sign that Philadelphia needs to update how it deals with businesses in order to make sure jobs remain here.
"The bottom line is the more business-friendly we are, the better chance of employment people have," he said.
Yet, he acknowledged, it's a balancing act.
"I mean, taxes, no government can run without taxes," he said. "Taxes are essential, but every time we talk about raising them we are also scaring potential businesses or businesses that are already here, out. Companies that have left, by and large, will tell you, that it's about the cost of doing business. I find it unfortunate."
Just how he hopes to address the business taxation issue is in the works, he said, as he's fresh to the job. But he's already taking on his council duties with gusto. Taubenberger is on more council committees that any other member, including rules; streets and services; licenses and inspections; labor and civil service; parks, recreation and cultural affairs; commerce and economic development; transportation and public utilities; public health and human services; public safety; housing, neighborhood development and the homeless; environment; and disabled and persons with special needs.
Asked if he can keep up with all those committee assignments, Taubenberger laughed, "Well, I'll let you know once we have all of these meetings."
Overall, the freshman councilman said he's focused on making the city a better place for "the average Joe," saying he hopes to be very constituent oriented as he looks ahead to the next four years.
"You want to gear this to help the average Joe who plays by the rules and works real hard and deserves some help," he said. "In many ways, you're their ombudsman."
