Daughter of Retired Philadelphia Fire Chief Announces Run For City Council
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A daughter of former Philadelphia fire commissioner Lloyd Ayers wants to become the youngest person ever to serve on Philadelphia City Council, today announcing her candidacy for a Council at-large seat.
Outside the main branch of the Free Library, on Logan Circle, 26-year old Jenné Ayers, whose father retired from the fire department after 40 years of service, admits that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
"You have to really give of yourself and be selfless," she said today.
Jenné Ayers (at lectern in photo) says her father logged decades in the fire department "to serve other people," and she too wants to, in her words, "get out there and help folks."
"I was raised to never become well adjusted to injustice and dysfunction," she said. "Difficult situations are not excuses to sit on the sidelines and do nothing."
She says she wants to tackle pressing issues such as putting a dent in Philadelphia's poverty rate and preparing young people for college and careers.
"And let's make sure that our city government is transparent, responsive, and puts the people first," she added.
Ayers went to Masterman High, graduated from Harvard with honors, and will receive her law degree this spring from Yale.
