By: Aphrodite Kotrotsios
Philadelphia, PA- On April 28, 2015, Greek-Americans of the Philadelphia tri-state area gathered at Estia Restaurant in support of Lynn Abraham, Democratic candidate for Mayor of Philadelphia. The fundraising event was organized by Elizabeth Manos, Paul Kotrotsios, John Aivazoglou, Esq. and John Vasiliou. Abraham is a strong candidate and a friend of the Greek-American community. She has visited Greece several times, has explored the Greek culture and is informed on the history and the current state of the Greek economy. Elizabeth Manos commented, “Lynn has the heart and spirit of a Greek and I know this because I am like her second mother”.
Lynn Abraham is ready to go on day one of the job. She is one of the most experienced candidates in the 2015 Mayoral race, having served 19 years as the District Attorney of Philadelphia, where she managed over 600 employees who were responsible for prosecuting thousands of cases. She has several issues she would like to tackle as Mayor of Philadelphia including education, taxes, jobs, safety and work equality. But one thing that stands out the most is how much she stresses the importance of giving a voice to the people of Philadelphia. She believes in working together as a team to solve these issues. Abraham most definitely brings executive expertise to the table, as she has experience in public service for several decades, enabling her to establish her own American dream, the American dream that she wants to make sure that the people of Philadelphia are capable of achieving. Abraham has also served as Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge and as Common Pleas court Judge. She was elected to serve as the District Attorney for Philadelphia for 5 terms. She has dedicated her life’s work to the citizens of Philadelphia, and it is in her to give back more as Mayor of Philadelphia. Her contributions and excellent track record have already had a great effect on the growth of Philadelphia. Philadelphia needs an independent and experienced Mayor, and that is exactly what Lynn Abraham offers.
Paul Kotrotsios, Founder & Publisher of the Hellenic News of America introduced Mayoral candidate Lynn Abraham to the guests Tuesday night highlighting on some key facts about Abraham, “We are all here tonight in support of Lynn Abraham for the next Mayor of Philadelphia. Lynn comes from an extensive background that holds deep roots in Philadelphia. She was born and raised in Philadelphia, educated in Philadelphia, and has served the government for more than half her life, here in Philadelphia. Lynn knows exactly what this city needs in terms of safety, education and community development,” said Kotrotsios. A true Philadelphia native, Lynn Abraham has what it takes to take Philadelphia to the next level. John Aivazoglou presented Abraham with a Greek statute directly from Greece as a good-luck gift on behalf of the Greek-American community.
Abraham addressed the guests by first thanking them for taking the time out of their busy schedules to come out and show their support. She praised her loving friendship with Elizabeth Manos, whom she met through Elizabeth’s late husband John Manos, “I am delighted that Paul, John and Elizabeth have sponsored this wonderful party for me and for all of us coming together on this lovely evening at the premier restaurant, Estia”. Abraham expressed the fact that Philadelphia has many cultural ties and referred to her many visits to Greece and her wonderful experiences.
“It’s important to celebrate the great culture of Greece and with all of you the great culture of the city of Philadelphia… This country has given us lots, so has this city, but we need to change our governing. If I am blessed to receive your support and everyone else’s support on May 19th, I will be a fearless and proven leader, who will do what the city needs in order for it to go the next level. We have to reform our schools, fix our taxes, we need to make sure that businesses are welcomed, make sure our streets are safe and clean, to make sure that people have a chance at the American dream,” Abraham told the friends and supporters in attendance.
Abraham’s goal is to be in touch and connected with the people of Philadelphia, “A good mayor will bring communities together…My style of governance is to go out into the community where the people are to listen to them, to give them a voice and an ear for them to tell me what’s wrong, what they can do to help to fix it, what can we do together to make this city better.“ She is looking to address the issues on the ground and help find real practical solutions, “None of these problems will be solved overnight they didn’t get there overnight, but we have to begin, have the will, the guts and the grit to get the job done. And trust me when I tell you, I know how to do that.”
Abraham is one of the top candidates for the 2015 Mayoral race in Philadelphia. She has served the community with dignity and respect and she has high expectations and great plans for the city of Philadelphia to come, “We have a great future, and I believe that Philadelphia is going to be the next great American city.”
