If I remember correctly, Haile Johnston was endorsed by YYP. If progressives want to encourage more young progressives like Haile to run for office, shouldn’t we respond in some organized way to attempts at intimidation such as Darrell Clark’s vendetta against Haile.

There was an article about this in last Friday’s Inquirer (http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/10101292.html) and now this report in City paper, "Councilman Clarke's revenge inflicts collateral damage on a fragile community."

Just after Haile Johnston lost his May primary contest with Clarke, Clarke allegedly arranged to have Johnston's community greening contracts with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) canceled. Since June, trash has piled up on hundreds of vacant lots, as the drug dealers return.

Clarke's ire could not be more foolishly directed. Haile Johnston and wife Tatiana Garcia-Granados are literally the poster couple of community organizers.
In the offices of their East Park Revitalization Alliance hangs a PHS poster featuring the young couple. Both Wharton grads, they moved to Strawberry Mansion six years ago. In addition to keeping hundreds of lots clean, they've started after-school and summer programs for neighborhood kids. They've also attracted private and public capital to this blighted area. Backed by The Reinvestment Fund, they purchased an abandoned factory to create jobs through a family-farmer food distribution center. Mayor Street personally presented them with an NTI Ambassador Award. They were praised as "the heart and soul of neighborhood transformation."

And yet, their contract was the only one in the whole city PHS did not renew in June.

Read full article by Bruce Schimmel at http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/10/04/phone-home